British Airways, Lufthansa, Emirates reroute flights after fire guts MMIA Terminal 1
….Air traffic controllers evacuated with crane …six persons injured A major fire outbreak on Monday afternoon disrupted flight operations at Terminal 1 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, forcing three
....Air traffic controllers evacuated with crane
...six persons injured
A major fire outbreak on Monday afternoon disrupted flight operations at Terminal 1 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, forcing three international carriers British Airways, Lufthansa and Emirates to divert flights to Abuja and airports in neighbouring countries.
In addition of my life life and to the operational disruption, 12 air traffic controllers attached to the control tower were safely evacuated using helicopters, a crane and other equipment deployed by coordinated emergency response teams.
Confirming the incident during a briefing at the airport car park, the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Olubunmi Kuku, said the cause of the fire was yet to be determined but that the authority promptly activated its emergency response plan to safeguard lives.
Kuku stated that no fatalities were recorded, while six injured persons are stable and receiving treatment.
She disclosed that a temporary departure hall and a remote control tower have been put in place to minimise the impact on flight operations. FAAN, in collaboration with relevant emergency responders and regulatory agencies, is working to fully stabilise the situation.
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According to her, plans are underway to relocate operations to the new terminal to facilitate ongoing renovation works at the affected old terminal.
Kuku added that a team of building and engineering professionals will conduct a comprehensive structural assessment to determine the integrity of the facility.
She commended the support provided by the Lagos State Government, the Nigerian Air Force, the National Emergency Management Agency, the Nigeria Police Force, and other agencies involved in the emergency response.
Kuku said, "We cannot establish the cause of the fire yet, but our investigations points to the ground floor , from where it spread to other parts of the terminal. We made ensure everybody was safely evacuated.
"Our Airport Manager is leading the team to ensure all standard emergency procedures are implemented. The impact was much , with three carriers diverting their flights, but we are working round the clock to ensure normal activities at the terminal.
Following the incident, there was anxiety among passengers and airport workers who hurried out of the facility when the smoke intensified."
