Lagos Airport Fire: Chaos as Flights Diverted
A fire outbreak at the E54 passenger bridge of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, Nigeria, caused significant disruption to flight operations on the morning of April 25, 2024. The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) promptly diverted all flight operations from Terminal 1 to the D Wing of the airport to manage the situation. Smoke was first detected at 5:29 a.m., leading to the immediate response of the airport’s fire and rescue services. The fire was brought under control by 6:41 a.m., with the cause suspected to be a spark from an electrical unit. Efforts were made to ventilate the smoke from the building while all flight operations were rerouted.
This incident led to a chaotic situation at the airport, as passengers and airport staff scrambled to safety upon the initial detection of smoke. The quick action of the airport’s firefighters prevented the situation from escalating further, although the exact cause of the fire is still under investigation.
The airport’s management has assured the public that the situation is under control and that normal operations will resume as soon as possible. In the meantime, passengers are advised to stay informed about their flights and to follow any instructions given by airport staff.
The incident has once again raised concerns about the safety and maintenance standards at the airport, with stakeholders calling for a thorough review of the infrastructure and emergency response procedures.
