All relevant agencies must remain prepared to handle any emergency situation, prioritizing passenger safety above all else.

Minister of Civil Aviation and Tourism Syed Bashir Ahmed, Chief Reporter. Emergency drill at Shahjalal Airport: Rescue operation simulating an aircraft fire An 'Airport Emergency Exercise Fire-2026' was conducted at Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport to assess the preparedness and coordination capabilities of relevant agencies in handling emergencies such as aircraft accidents and fires. During the drill held on the airport premises on Monday, a scenario involving a simulated aircraft accident was created to practice firefighting, passenger rescue, first aid, and the evacuation of passengers to a safe location. The drill scenario depicted an aircraft arriving from Bangkok—carrying 98 passengers and 5 crew members—reporting a fire in its right engine and a technical malfunction in the control panel to Air Traffic Control prior to landing. Subsequently, during the emergency landing, the aircraft overshot the designated section of the runway and veered off to the left. It came to a halt on the southern side of the runway after crossing Taxiway Sierra. A scenario was then simulated in which a fire broke out in the undercarriage and rapidly spread across the entire aircraft. Upon receiving the alert, airport fire crews rushed to the scene and initiated firefighting operations. Simultaneously, rescue teams, Air Traffic Control, law enforcement agencies, ambulances, and medical service providers worked in coordination to rescue passengers, administer first aid, and evacuate everyone to safety. The primary objective of the drill was to evaluate the speed and effectiveness of the airport's emergency response following an accident. Simultaneously, the exercise assessed the proficiency of fire crews, the effectiveness of firefighting and rescue equipment, and the coordination capabilities among the various agencies involved. In addition to officials and staff from the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) and Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, the drill involved the Bangladesh Air Force, APBn, the Uttara Traffic Division, Ansar, Fire Service and Civil Defence, various hospitals, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, and other relevant agencies. M. Rashiduzzaman Millat, MP, Minister of Civil Aviation and Tourism, observed the exercise as the chief guest. He stated that there is no alternative to safety, preparedness, and rapid decision-making in aviation operations. All relevant agencies must remain ready to handle any emergency situation, prioritizing passenger safety above all else. Fahmida Akhtar, NDC, Secretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, was present at the event. Group Captain S.M. Ragib Samad, Executive Director of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, delivered the welcome address, while CAAB Chairman Air Vice Marshal Md. Mostafa Mahmud Siddique presided over the proceedings. The CAAB Chairman emphasized that regular training, realistic drills, and effective coordination among relevant agencies are essential to ensuring safe aviation operations. Such comprehensive emergency drills are organized in accordance with the guidelines of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The activities at various stages were evaluated upon the conclusion of the exercise. Officials noted that the experience gained from this drill would play a vital role in further strengthening Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport's emergency management, inter-agency coordination, and rapid response capabilities in the event of an accident.