The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has inspected the destruction caused by Monday’s fire at the old terminal of Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
Keyamo confirmed that the fire was contained and no lives were lost. He told journalists at the scene that victims who were hospitalised are responding well to treatment at a Lagos health facility.
The minister added that the terminal, which was previously scheduled for refurbishment, will now be demolished. He also noted that a temporary terminal, from which the few airlines still operating at the facility will run, is already at an advanced stage of readiness.
The fire, which started around 3:00 p.m., disrupted operations at Terminal 1, forcing the diversion of international flights and causing travel delays. At least six people were hospitalised, while airport equipment was damaged, prompting a large-scale multi-agency emergency response. Firefighters were still battling the blaze as of 7:00 p.m., with thick smoke rising from parts of the terminal.