A blaze broke out at Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport’s immigration counters on a recent Thursday morning, leading to a complete halt in flight operations. The fire, which was later subdued, resulted in significant damage to the system.
Airport authorities indicated that it would take some time for the smoke to dissipate, and entry was restricted until the area was deemed safe. The incident led to a flurry of activity in the parking area as people arrived to greet or bid farewell to passengers.
Preliminary investigations suggest that a short circuit sparked the fire at the immigration counters, which quickly spread across a substantial part of the airport. The rapid spread of the fire triggered a stampede among passengers, necessitating a full evacuation of the airport.
The incident, which occurred around 5:45 am, disrupted flight operations and caused a sudden influx of passengers. The Airport Security Force (ASF) personnel were the first to respond, swiftly taking action to control the flames. Firefighters from the Civil Aviation Authority also rushed to the scene. Despite their concerted efforts, the fire caused extensive damage to the immigration system, necessitating a total suspension of flight operations. This incident underscores the importance of stringent safety measures in public spaces.
