Lagos airport fire: 6 injured, flights suspended in Nigeria
A fire broke out at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, Nigeria, on Monday evening, injuring six people and temporarily suspending flights, causing disruption at one of West Africa's major air hubs. Nigerian authorities announced that the incident was under control and that efforts were underway to resume operations as quickly as possible.
Details of the incident and the immediate response
According to a statement issued by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the fire started in the Server Room located on the first floor of Terminal 1. Emergency plans were immediately activated, with fire, rescue and security teams rushing to the site to control the fire and evacuate the building.
The incident resulted in injuries to six people, including three women and three men, all of whom were reported to be in stable condition. One person underwent further medical examinations to ensure their well-being. Emergency teams also rescued 14 people who were trapped in the air traffic control tower and evacuated them safely.
General context: The importance of Murtala Muhammed International Airport
Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) is Nigeria's main air gateway and busiest airport, playing a vital role as a regional air transport hub in West Africa. The airport handles millions of passengers annually, connecting Nigeria to numerous international destinations in Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas. Any disruption to its operations not only affects domestic travelers but also causes significant disruptions to flight schedules across the continent.
Expected effects of the accident
Domestically, the flight suspensions led to passenger congestion and significant delays. Regionally and internationally, the temporary airspace closure forced the diversion of some flights to other airports, impacting regional air traffic. This incident comes at a critical time, as the airport is undergoing extensive renovations and upgrades as part of a massive national aviation infrastructure development project with a total estimated cost of 712 billion naira (approximately US$530 million). The fire damaged the departure hall, which was undergoing renovation as part of this project, raising questions about the safety standards followed during the modernization work.
Measures taken to resume operations
The Federal Airports Authority confirmed that the incident was “largely under control” and that monitoring operations were ongoing. To ensure the resumption of air traffic as quickly as possible, the Nigerian Airspace Management Authority (NAMA) announced it was working to establish a temporary mobile air traffic control tower as an alternative solution to resume operations while the damage is fully assessed and repaired.
