FAAN
Olamilekan Abayomi
The Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos has reopened after a fire outbreak at the Old Terminal, injuring six people and diverting three international flights. The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) confirmed that the fire started from the ground floor of the terminal, spreading to the roof, but was quickly brought under control.
The diverted flights were operated by British Airways, Lufthansa, and Emirates. According to FAAN’s Managing Director, Olubunmi Kuku, the airport’s emergency procedures were activated, and 14 people initially trapped were safely rescued and evacuated.
The injured individuals, comprising three males and three females, are receiving medical attention and are in stable condition. One person was transferred to the FAAN Headquarters Hospital for further evaluation.
The fire is believed to have originated from the server room on the first floor of Terminal One, and investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause. The airport’s renovation works, approved by the Federal Executive Council, were not directly related to the area where the fire started.
The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) is working to establish a temporary Control Tower to restore airport operations. Departures and arrivals have been relocated to other sections of the airport, with most flights moving to Terminal Two.
The FAAN has assured passengers that operations will resume shortly, and a temporary terminal is being prepared for use. The airport’s Emergency Operations Centre has been activated, with the airport manager leading the response.
The incident caused panic among passengers and staff, but thanks to coordinated efforts, there were no fatalities. The firefighting units worked quickly to contain and extinguish the blaze, preventing further damage.
The airport authorities are working to restore full operations, and passengers are advised to check with their airlines for flight updates.
