Afghanistan crisis: Five killed at Kabul airport amid chaos
Five people were killed in chaos at Kabul airport on Monday as hundreds of people tried to forcibly board evacuation flights meant for embassy staff.
Taliban fighters on Sunday, invaded the outskirts of Kabul, demanding transfer of power. Ashraf Gani, Afghanistan president, had fled the country as the fighters entered the presidential palace.
In the ensuing chaos, thousands of Afghans headed for the airport in the hope of catching a flight out of the country.
But Afghanistan’s civil aviation authority announced a temporary cancellation of all flights from the capital city of Kabul, leavingthousands of peoplestranded and many crowded on the tarmac.
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The aviation authority had warned that the massive rush of passengers to the airport in the chaotic situation could lead to looting and disorderly conduct.
According to Reuters, witnesses said it was not immediately clear how the victims died.
A US official reportedly said troops had fired into the air to stop people from trying to force their way onto a military flight that was set to take US diplomats and embassy staff out of the fallen city.
One witness, waiting for a flight out of the city for more than 20 hours, said it was unclear if the five had been shot or killed in a stampede.
In 2001, US-led forces removed the Taliban from power, but the group has returned, asking to take over the central government.
On August 6, they gained control over Zaranj, the regional capital, and have in the past few weeks, claimed over 20 of Afghanistan’s 34 provincial capitals.
Citizens and foreigners have been fleeing the south Asian country over concerns for their safety.
The Taliban have, however, reportedly insisted that their fighters would not enter people’s homes or interfere with businesses.
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