A major emergency unfolded at Bangladesh's primary international gateway on Tuesday when an electrical fire triggered mass panic and forced the complete evacuation of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.
The incident, which began in an electrical switch room, sent thick plumes of smoke billowing through Terminal 1, creating scenes of chaos as thousands of passengers were urgently directed to safety.
Complete Terminal Evacuation
Airport authorities implemented full emergency protocols, clearing both international and domestic departure areas. Social media footage captured the scale of the disruption, showing dense smoke permeating check-in halls while anxious travellers gathered outside the terminal building.
"We heard loud noises and then saw smoke coming from the ceiling area," recounted one eyewitness. "There was initial panic as people started running toward exits, but airport staff worked quickly to direct everyone outside."
Flight Operations Severely Impacted
The fire caused significant disruption to flight schedules, with multiple departures and arrivals facing delays or cancellations. Airport officials confirmed that operations were temporarily suspended during the emergency response.
Bangladesh's Civil Aviation Authority issued a statement acknowledging the incident: "An electrical malfunction in a switch room caused smoke spread in Terminal 1. All passengers and staff were safely evacuated while emergency services contained the situation."
Emergency Response and Investigation
Firefighting teams responded promptly to the incident, working to contain the electrical fire and prevent further damage to airport infrastructure. No serious injuries were reported, though several passengers required medical attention for anxiety and minor complaints.
Authorities have launched a full investigation into the cause of the electrical fault, with preliminary findings suggesting an overload in the airport's power system may be responsible.
The incident highlights ongoing concerns about infrastructure maintenance at Bangladesh's busiest airport, which serves over 10 million passengers annually and has undergone recent expansion projects to accommodate growing traffic.
