Bangladesh invites experts from four countries to investigate Dhaka airport blaze

The government has invited experts from four countries to investigate the recent blaze at the Cargo Village of Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.

Home Advisor Jahangir Alam Chowdhury disclosed the development on Saturday after inspecting the fire-ravaged cargo complex and e-gates.

Referring to the invitation extended to international experts, he said: "We have called on four countries to send experts to examine whether there was any mismanagement over the fire in the Cargo Village area."

“We are trying to bring in experts from England, Turkey, Australia and China.”

Their input would help determine the cause of the devastating incident and where the blame lies for the incident, according to Jahangir.

In response to a question about allegations of delayed response, he said, "An accident is an accident. Four units of Biman [Bangladesh Airlines] arrived within 30 seconds, and subsequently, Fire Service units arrived within 20 minutes.

"The fire spread quickly because there were some garment chemicals where the blaze started, which is why it took time to control."

The fire erupted on Oct 18 and was brought under control after a joint effort by 37 units of the Fire Service, police, Ansar, RAB, APBN, Bangladesh Air Force, and Bangladesh Navy.

It took nearly 27 hours to fully extinguish the flames, which were finally put out on Oct 19.