Fire Outbreak Cripples Operations at Lagos Airport, Flights Cancelled, Hundreds Stranded

 

Operations at Murtala Muhammed International Airport were thrown into chaos on Monday following a major fire outbreak that began around 2:00 p.m. and raged for several hours, remaining unquenched until about 8:00 p.m. The incident forced widespread flight cancellations, grounded aircraft, and left hundreds of passengers stranded.

The blaze reportedly affected facilities in the old terminal, including the control tower and other critical operational areas, prompting emergency response efforts by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

Although FAAN confirmed that no lives were lost, the prolonged fire severely disrupted flight schedules and caused confusion among travellers, many of whom complained of poor communication from airlines and airport authorities.

The incident has renewed concerns about aviation safety preparedness, especially in light of previous investments in modern firefighting equipment during the tenure of former Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika. Passengers and industry observers questioned the efficiency of the emergency response and the overall readiness of safety infrastructure.

Passengers Left in Limbo

Many travellers arriving for evening departures said they only learned of the crisis upon getting to the airport. A passenger booked on KLM said he received no prior notification and was left uncertain about his travel plans, amid reports that the incoming flight from Amsterdam might be diverted to Abuja.

Another traveller, George Odaga, who was scheduled to fly with Air France, said his incoming flight from Paris had not landed and that no official updates were provided.

Passengers also reported that several airlines suspended operations for the night, with some inbound international flights diverted to neighbouring countries. A traveller booked on Air Peace for London said repeated delays eventually turned into uncertainty over whether any departures would hold at all, adding that flights operated by Turkish Airlines and Lufthansa were reportedly diverted to Accra.

Mounting Frustration

The disruption extended beyond passengers, affecting airport businesses, transport operators, and airline ground staff. Crowds gathered across terminals seeking information, while the newer terminal became heavily congested as stranded travellers searched for updates.

Aviation analysts warned that prolonged shutdowns at Nigeria’s busiest international gateway could trigger cascading effects across regional air traffic, with aircraft diversions disrupting schedules across West Africa.

FAAN Confirms Rescue, Casualties

In a briefing, FAAN Managing Director Olubunmi Kuku said emergency response teams remained fully engaged.

She disclosed that a crane was deployed to the control tower, enabling the rescue of 14 people trapped inside the facility. FAAN confirmed that all were safely evacuated.

Six casualties three men and three women were recorded, with officials stressing that all were in stable condition. One victim was transferred to the FAAN Headquarters Hospital for further medical evaluation.

Preliminary investigations traced the fire to a technical facility within the terminal.

“Findings from the Fire Service indicate that the fire originated from the server room on the first floor of Terminal 1,” FAAN said, adding that the fire in the departure hall was largely under control, with monitoring ongoing to prevent further spread.

As a precaution, the sixth floor of the building was evacuated to support rescue and risk-mitigation operations.

Flights Cancelled as Airspace Shut

FAAN also confirmed the temporary closure of airspace to guarantee safety, while the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) works to restore operations.

“In line with established safety protocols, the airspace remains temporarily closed,” the authority said, noting that NAMA is working to establish a temporary control tower to enable the safe and timely restoration of airport operations.

The incident has sparked renewed calls for stronger emergency preparedness, backup systems, and improved crisis communication across Nigeria’s aviation sector.