Fire Disrupts Operations at Lagos Airport as 14 Rescued, Flights Diverted
A fire outbreak at Terminal 1 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport caused temporary disruption to flight operations on Tuesday, prompting emergency evacuations, rescue operations, and flight diversions before authorities restored partial services.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) confirmed that coordinated firefighting, rescue, and safety teams responded swiftly after the blaze erupted, with emergency procedures activated immediately to safeguard lives and infrastructure.
According to preliminary findings from firefighters, the fire is believed to have originated from a server room on the first floor of the terminal, although investigations remain ongoing.
Fourteen persons who were initially trapped inside the Control Tower were successfully rescued after a crane was deployed to support evacuation efforts. Authorities recorded six casualties—three men and three women—all reported to be in stable condition. One affected individual was transferred to the FAAN Headquarters Hospital for further medical evaluation.
As a precautionary measure, officials evacuated the sixth floor of the affected facility to allow emergency teams to manage risks and continue containment operations.
FAAN said the blaze in the departure hall had been largely brought under control, with responders maintaining close monitoring to prevent it from spreading to adjoining sections.
Airspace around the airport was temporarily shut while the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency worked to establish a temporary control tower to facilitate the safe restoration of operations.
Speaking to journalists at the scene, FAAN Managing Director Olubunmi Kuku stated that three flights were diverted due to the incident, noting that operational impact was limited because many services had already been relocated from the old terminal ahead of planned renovations.
“We did have about three flights that were diverted. However, the operations will be back up and running in the next half an hour,” she said, adding that the priority was to control the fire before drawing conclusions about its cause.
She confirmed that emergency protocols were activated through the airport’s Emergency Operations Centre, led by the airport manager acting as chief safety and security officer, alongside multiple agencies. Among the diverted flights were services operated by British Airways, Lufthansa, and Emirates, which were rerouted to alternative destinations.
Kuku also disclosed that although renovation works are ongoing within the airport complex, no construction activity was taking place in the specific area where the fire is suspected to have started. She said structural engineers would assess the building’s integrity once the fire is fully extinguished to determine the next course of action.
Emergency support came from multiple agencies, including the Lagos State Emergency Services and security personnel, with helicopters assisting rescue efforts. Kuku commended responders for their swift coordination, emphasising that there were no fatalities.
Responding to questions about regulatory oversight, she noted that FAAN had briefed the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and pledged that findings from investigations into both immediate and underlying causes of the incident would be made public once verified.
She reassured travellers that most departures and arrivals had already been shifted to Terminal 2 as part of ongoing rehabilitation plans and that a temporary terminal facility would become operational within days.
“For travelling passengers, operations will be back up shortly. It is okay to come into the airport if you have flights in the next couple of hours or days,” she said.
FAAN added that further verified updates would be communicated as more information becomes available, stressing its commitment to protecting passengers, staff, and airport infrastructure while maintaining operational integrity.
