A fire outbreak at Lahore airport’s lounge area caused chaos and disrupted several international flights, including inaugural Hajj journeys, as reported by Aaj News. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) attributed the fire to a short circuit but assured the public that it had been brought under control.
Emergency responders swiftly contained the flames, preventing harm to individuals. However, the fire, originating from the immigration counter’s ceiling, filled the lounge with smoke, leading to the evacuation of passengers. Images from Aaj News depicted billowing smoke, illustrating the turbulent scene. A specialized team has been deployed to ascertain the fire’s cause, with significant damage noted at the immigration counter.
The incident’s impact extended to flight schedules, with delays affecting the first Hajj departure and five other international flights, including Qatar Airways flight QR 629.
Despite disruptions, incoming international flights continued to be routed to Lahore airport without diversions. The absence of an emergency declaration highlighted the authorities’ efforts to manage the situation effectively.
The CAA confirmed that international flight operations were being managed from the domestic departure lounge, with the situation stemming from a short circuit being brought under control by early morning.
Currently, Hajj and international flights are utilizing domestic facilities, with plans to resume regular domestic flight operations soon. The spokesperson emphasized the priority of maintaining smooth immigration processes for arriving flights to minimize disruption following the incident, according to Aaj News.
Sources By Agencies
