The massive fire that swept through the cargo complex has
raised troubling questions. Was it merely another case of poor safety and
outdated infrastructure, or does it point to something more sinister — a
deliberate act of sabotage? The truth is yet to emerge, but the scale of the
damage and timing of the incident demand a deeper look.
According to initial reports, the blaze engulfed multiple
warehouses, destroying export-bound goods and disrupting one of Bangladesh’s
busiest trade arteries. Officials have launched a probe, but as of now, the
cause remains “unknown.” Electrical short-circuiting — a common culprit in
Bangladesh’s industrial fires — cannot be ruled out. The fact is incident occurred
inside a high-security airport zone making it difficult to accept negligence as
the only explanation.
Bangladesh has witnessed a string of devastating fires this
year, from markets and garment factories to chemical depots. Each tragedy has
exposed the country’s weak enforcement of fire safety codes and inadequate
emergency response. However, when such an incident occurs within an airport’s
cargo village — a zone under tight surveillance and restricted access —
suspicion naturally grows.
If investigators find multiple ignition points, traces of
accelerants, or evidence of tampering with security systems, the narrative
could shift toward deliberate sabotage. In recent months, regional instability
and heightened smuggling crackdowns have disrupted illicit trade networks.
Could the fire have been intended to erase evidence or cripple exports? The
possibility cannot be dismissed outright.
At stake is not just property loss, but international
confidence in Bangladesh’s logistics chain. The cargo complex handles billions
in textile exports; even temporary disruption can ripple through global supply
lines. Authorities must therefore pursue this probe with utmost transparency
and professionalism.
Whether the Dhaka airport fire proves to be an accident born
of negligence or a calculated act of sabotage, it exposes a deeper
vulnerability: the fragility of Bangladesh’s critical infrastructure.
The incident should serve as a wake-up call — to upgrade
safety systems, tighten surveillance, and confront the culture of complacency
before another disaster strikes.
