In an email to the BBC, the International Air Express Association of Bangladesh also estimated damages of more than $1bn. The garments association has asked all its members to submit a list of damaged goods to determine the full extent of the losses. Saturday's blaze was Bangladesh's third major fire within a week.

Flights have resumed at Bangladesh’s main airport in Dhaka, airport officials said, six hours after a fire in the cargo section delayed flights and halted operations on Saturday.

The blaze, which began around 2:30 pm, engulfed an area used to store imported goods, sending thick plumes of smoke billowing across the airport premises, Prothom Alo reported.