The devastating fire at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport's Cargo Village exposes a grave lack of safety measures and mismanagement in handling hazardous goods. Unlike international airports, Shahjalal's Cargo Village lacks automated fire detection and protection systems. Flammable chemicals, perfumes, sprays, spirits, and even explosives have been illegally stored with general goods in the customs warehouse for years, creating an enormous safety hazard.
Such dangerous materials should be kept in temperature-controlled, isolated warehouses following international standards. The slow customs clearance process has worsened the situation by causing congestion and unsafe storage practices. The fire serves as a dire warning of what can happen when negligence and outdated systems persist. Urgent action is needed to modernise the cargo handling and fire safety systems to prevent future disasters and ensure the safety of airport workers and nearby communities.
Ashikujaman Syed
syedashikujaman@yahoo.com