07 August 2013

FIRE AT JOMO KENYATTA AIRPORT



Air travellers across Africa are facing long delays after a huge fire ripped through the main airport in Kenya's capital, Nairobi, forcing its closure.
Hundreds of passengers have been left stranded outside Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).




image of Emmanuel  Igunza

                                                            Emmanuel Igunza - AT THE SCENE
                                                                 BBC News, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport 

The plumes of smoke bellowing from the arrival area of the airport could be seen from as far as 4km (2.5 miles) away. Outside the arrival area I saw passengers sitting on the pavement with their luggage - stranded in the early morning cold.

Those who had witnessed the fire start described scenes of chaos as people ran in the wrong direction, before rushing back out to safety. Some said they heard small explosions as the fire intensified. Hundreds of airport staff were also evacuated from the arrival area.

It was all hands on deck as firefighters from Nairobi County, the army and private firms battled the fire. I saw dozens of army officers with buckets rushing to the scene.

Some passengers complained that they had been left stranded with no information regarding their connecting flights, and no food or water.



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