Turkish experts in Bangladesh to probe airport blaze

DHAKA, Bangladesh

An eight-member Turkish expert team arrived in Bangladesh on Sunday to provide technical assistance and probe a massive fire that broke out at the country's main airport, suspending all flight operations and damaging all the imported goods stored there.

The team also met the adviser to the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, Sheikh Bashiruddin, in the capital Dhaka, according to a statement by the ministry.

They discussed in detail the investigation into the terrible fire incident at the cargo village of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka.

Appreciating the Turkish assistance, the advisor said that this cooperation will further “strengthen the mutual relations between the two countries and will play an important role in advancing the investigation activities,” said the ministry.

The expert team was led by First Degree Chief Superintendent Oykun Ilgun.

The Oct. 18 fire in the cargo section, where the imported goods are mainly stored, was brought under control by 37 units of firefighters along with Bangladesh's army, air force and navy.

The airport fire followed two massive fires that broke out in two factories in Dhaka and the port city of Chattogram, killing at least 16 people this month.