The massive fire that broke out at the cargo village of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka earlier on Saturday (October 18) has been largely brought under control, airport authorities said in the evening.

“Through coordinated efforts, the fire has mostly been contained,” said Md Masudul Hasan Masud, spokesperson for the airport’s executive director. “Flight operations remain temporarily suspended, and further details will be shared later.”

According to the Fire Service and Civil Defence, 37 units from 13 fire stations were still working at the site as of 5 pm “We have not received any reports of casualties so far, and the cause of the fire or the extent of damage is yet to be determined,” said Talha Bin Jasim, an officer from the Fire Service’s media cell.

The fire, which began around 2:15 pm, initially drew nine firefighting units before more reinforcements arrived. Alongside the Fire Service, two fire units from the Bangladesh Air Force, as well as members of the Navy, Army, and two platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), joined the effort to contain the blaze and assist in rescue operations.

Authorities said flight operations would resume once safety assessments are complete and the area is declared secure.