This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-23598012
The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Nairobi airport closes as fire crews tackle blaze | Nairobi airport closes as fire crews tackle blaze |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A huge 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. | 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. |
| The interior ministry tweeted that an evacuation of the entire airport was under way, with only essential personnel remaining. | |
| 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. |
| Water 'shortage' | |
| Dark smoke could be seen billowing into the sky across much of Nairobi, one report said. | |
| Shocked would-be passengers stood outside the airport, bags in hand, watching the blaze. | |
| 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. |
| But multiple reports say the arrivals and immigration sections have been devastated by the blaze. | |
| The BBC's Anne Soy in Nairobi quotes the government as saying fire engines are running dangerously low on water and tankers are being used to ferry water to the airport. | |
| 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." |
| Cabinet secretary for transport Mr Kamau urged people not to obstruct the work of the emergency services. | |
| "They should allow the emergency work to continue and we kindly request even spectators, people who just want to watch, they should just keep off." | |
| 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. |
| Read the terms and conditions | Read the terms and conditions |