Dhaka Airport Fire: A Major Setback for Bangladesh's Clothing Industry

A huge fire at Dhaka airport's cargo area has caused serious problems for Bangladesh's clothing industry. The fire started on Saturday and destroyed many goods ready to be sent to other countries, including:

• Clothes
• Materials
• Important samples used to secure new orders

Impact on Operations

• Flights were halted due to the intensity of the fire.
• Smoke was still visible on Sunday from the damaged area.
• Authorities are still assessing the total financial loss.

Cargo Area's Significance

• The cargo area is a high-traffic hub, handling goods from 200 to 250 factories daily.
• The fire occurred during the peak export season (October to December), worsening the impact.

Broader Industry Concerns

• The fire may delay on-time deliveries, affecting future orders.
• This is the third major fire this week:
• A clothing factory fire and a chemical warehouse blaze killed 16 people.
• A large clothing factory in Chittagong also caught fire.

Bangladesh's Clothing Industry

• Bangladesh is the second-largest clothing exporter in the world after China.
• Major retailers like Walmart, H&M, and Gap source from Bangladesh.
• The industry employs 4 million people and contributes significantly to the economy.

Investigation Ongoing

• The cause of the fire is still unknown.
• Authorities are investigating the incident.