Businesses have filed more than Taka 600 crore in insurance claims following last month’s fire that destroyed the import cargo building at Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, according to new industry data.
The Bangladesh Insurance Association (BIA) reported that non-life insurers have so far received claims totalling Taka 608.94 crore from affected companies — figures that represent first-round submissions. BIA First Vice-President Adeeba Rahman said the final payout could differ once insurers complete detailed assessments, citing policy limitations and the need for loss verification.
The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) previously estimated losses of around Taka 97 crore in damaged goods from the 18 October blaze. A government probe found that improper storage practices and inadequate fire safety measures allowed the fire to spread. Investigators identified an electrical short circuit and overheating lithium-ion batteries kept without temperature controls as the most likely causes, ruling out sabotage.
Insurers say claims have come from a wide range of sectors, including commodities, readymade garments, pharmaceuticals and power. Nitol Insurance CEO Mahbubul Karim said more than 12 companies had filed 32 policies worth Taka 10 crore, of which Taka 21 lakh had already been settled. He noted that about 70% of all claims originate from the RMG sector, though full evaluations are still under way.
Pragati Insurance CEO Syed Sehab Ullah Al-Manjur confirmed that more than 12 organisations had initially reported losses of up to Taka 25 crore, with several clients submitting documentation for assessment. Bangladesh General Insurance Company PLC Managing Director Ahmed Saifuddin Chowdhury said his firm alone had received 74 claims linked to the airport fire, with 34 claims worth about Taka 16 crore currently due.
Insurers expect the total verified loss figure to shift as investigations continue and individual claims undergo detailed scrutiny.
