“Fire Drill-2025” held at the Shah Amanat International Airport today. Photo : BSS

CHATTOGRAM, Jan 21, 2025 (BSS) – A full-scale fire drill titled “Fire Drill-2025,” was held today at Shah Amanat International Airport (SAIA) aimed at building capacity of its staffs as well as passengers to deal with any fire-related incidents.

The drill simulated by an accident at a Neptune Airlines Airbus-320 flight, carrying 65 passengers and crew. The aircraft landed on Runway-23 but veered off and came to a stop 200 feet near the cargo apron.

Later, the right engine of the aircraft caught fire, engulfing the plane with flames soon.

Bangladesh Civil Aviation Authorities hosted the mock emergency exercise in the noon.

During the fire drill, Bangladesh Army, Navy and Air force, Police, Ansar and other organization’s personnel displayed their skills in dousing the mock fire, rescuing trapped people and providing first aid to the injured people.

An airport official said that fire drills are organized at the airport from time to time so that emergency situations can be dealt with quickly.  The primary goal of the drill was to practice extinguishing fires and ensuring the safe evacuation of passengers during an aircraft accident.

The exercise concluded with the simulated rescue of 40 uninjured passengers, 21 injured and four fatalities.

Secretary of Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry Nasreen Jahan attended the event as the chief guest.

Stressing the importance of such drills, she said, it aimed to test the joint coordination and rapid response capabilities to safeguard people and property.

She said, “Today’s drill was successfully completed within the stipulated time. It gives us confidence that we can face unexpected challenges through quick and effective collective action.”

Several organizations including Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB), Bangladesh Air Force, Navy and Army, Police, Ansar, Fire Service and Civil Defense, RAB, APBN, Combined Military Hospital, Chattogram, Airport Health Center, Maa-O-Shishu Hospital, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, Air Astra and Novo Air took part in the program.

CAAB Chairman Air-Vice Marshal Md Monzur Kabir Bhiyan and SAIA Director Group Captain Skeikh Abdullah Alamgir were present, among others.