Flight operations suspended till 10 pm as fire breaks out at Lahore airport departure lounge
At least six international flights including the first two Hajj flights were delayed as a result of the fire.
Flight operations will remain suspended till 10 pm as fire broke out at the Lahore airport departure lounge on Thursday due to a short circuit in the immigration counter’s ceiling.
The blaze was doused by the Civil Aviation Authority staff of Allama Iqbal International Airport after some struggle.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in a statement said that the airport was processing international flights from the domestic departure lounge.
The situation that arose due to the short circuit was brought under control around 5:00 a.m. this morning, CAA said.
According to the CAA, Hajj and other international flights are currently being handled through the domestic side, and it is expected that domestic flight operations will resume soon.
As reported, at least six international flights including the first two Hajj flights were delayed as a result of the fire.
Qatar Airways flight QR 629 was among the affected flights.
The immigration counter was significantly affected by the fire.
As smoke filled the lounge the authorities evacuated passengers from the airport building.
However, no loss of life was reported.
According to airport authorities, a team has been formed to ascertain the cause of the fire.
Fire Erupts at Lahore Airport , damaged the immigration system, leading to flight disruptions. Preliminary investigation suggests a short circuit as the cause of the fire. #LahoreAirportFire pic.twitter.com/0nSCG8GQdC
— Ghulam Abbas Shah (@ghulamabbasshah) May 9, 2024
🚨🔥🇵🇰 Massive fire broke out after blast at Lahore Airport in Pakistan, resulting in 3 deaths and numerous injuries (Terrorist attack can't be ruled out )..#LahoreAirport #Pakistan #PakistanArmy #TerroristAttack #fire pic.twitter.com/loHkejF8z6
— THE SQUADRON (@THE_SQUADR0N) May 9, 2024
However, incoming international flights were not diverted to other airports, although it was feared that the immigration process on the arrival desk was affected.
The airport authority has not declared any emergency.
