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Nairobi airport closes as fire crews tackle blaze | Nairobi airport closes as fire crews tackle blaze |
(35 minutes later) | |
A fire has broken out at the main international airport in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi. | A fire has broken out at the main international airport in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi. |
The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) said Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) had been closed and passengers evacuated. | The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) said Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) had been closed and passengers evacuated. |
Cabinet secretary for transport Michael Kamau said the fire was "very severe" and urged people to stay away from the airport. | |
Images showed flames raging from one of the main buildings. | Images showed flames raging from one of the main buildings. |
One report suggested the entire airport was being evacuated. | One report suggested the entire airport was being evacuated. |
There have been no reports of any casualties and the cause of the fire is not clear. | There have been no reports of any casualties and the cause of the fire is not clear. |
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is an important regional hub for East Africa, with many long-distance flights landing there to connect to countries across the region. | Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is an important regional hub for East Africa, with many long-distance flights landing there to connect to countries across the region. |
'Serious fire' | 'Serious fire' |
The BBC's David Okwembah, who is at the airport, says many ambulances are going to the scene as well as fire engines. | The BBC's David Okwembah, who is at the airport, says many ambulances are going to the scene as well as fire engines. |
He said a junior police officer told the BBC the fire had started at the airport's immigration offices, although this has not been confirmed. | He said a junior police officer told the BBC the fire had started at the airport's immigration offices, although this has not been confirmed. |
A statement from the airport authority said: "We confirm reports of a fire at JKIA affecting part of [the] international arrivals building and Unit 1 departures. | A statement from the airport authority said: "We confirm reports of a fire at JKIA affecting part of [the] international arrivals building and Unit 1 departures. |
"KAA Fire and Rescue Team is on [the] ground being assisted by G4S and Nairobi Fire Brigade. Passengers have been evacuated to safety." | "KAA Fire and Rescue Team is on [the] ground being assisted by G4S and Nairobi Fire Brigade. Passengers have been evacuated to safety." |
Mutea Iringo, a senior official at the interior and national co-ordination ministry, also confirmed "a serious fire" at JKIA, adding: "We are doing everything possible to avert a crisis. | Mutea Iringo, a senior official at the interior and national co-ordination ministry, also confirmed "a serious fire" at JKIA, adding: "We are doing everything possible to avert a crisis. |
"Apart from emergency landings, all flights into and out of JKIA have been cancelled... [the] airport has been shut down." | "Apart from emergency landings, all flights into and out of JKIA have been cancelled... [the] airport has been shut down." |
The KAA said only emergency vehicles were allowed in the area. | The KAA said only emergency vehicles were allowed in the area. |
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. |
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