
Audio By Carbonatix
International flights have resumed at the main airport in Kenya's capital, Nairobi, following Wednesday's fire that gutted parts of the airport.A plane from London was the first to land at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport at 06:30 local time (03:30 GMT), Kenyan airport authorities said.Other planes from Bangkok and Kilimanjaro also landed on Thursday.The cause of the fire is not yet known. Kenyan authorities say no serious injuries were reported.The Nairobi airport is a regional hub serving more than 16,000 passengers daily and its closure caused widespread disruption.International flights into the city had been diverted to other airports in Eldoret and the coastal city of Mombasa.On Wednesday the interior ministry announced the resumption of domestic and cargo services.The fire took about four hours to bring under control, by which time the arrivals hall had been gutted.'Completely destroyed'The fire started in the airport's international arrivals and immigration area at around 05:00 on Wednesday and spread quickly.Questions are being asked about why so few fire engines were available initially.It appears that some engines got stuck in the Kenyan capital's notorious traffic jams. Many engines at the scene also quickly ran out of water.Soldiers and police even came with buckets to help put out the fire, Sylvia Amondi, who was at the airport to pick up a relative who had been due to arrive there, told AFP news agency."The international arrivals station has been completely destroyed, the roof has caved in and the floor is covered in debris and water," she said.A third of Europe's flower imports, and many fresh vegetables, come from Kenya and the Kenya Flower Council exporters' association described the fire as "disastrous".Shares in Kenya Airways, which uses the airport as its main hub, fell 2% after the fire.Foreign airlines which use the terminal include British Airways, Emirates, Qatar Airways, KLM, Turkish Airways, South African Airways and Ethiopian Airways. Several cancelled flights to Nairobi on Wednesday.The country's anti-terrorism chief, Boniface Mwaniki, has said he does not believe the fire - which happened on the 15th anniversary of the bombings by al-Qaeda of the US embassies in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania - was connected to terrorism.Correspondents say the airport is old and overcrowded.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
FDA warns of fake HIV test kits on Ghanaian market
3 minutes -
Africa urged to build resilient health systems as donor support tightens
9 minutes -
Easter gesture: Ablakwa settles medical bills for 85 North Tongu constituents
2 hours -
Africa must harness its population strength—Titus-Glover
2 hours -
Visa-free access doesn’t mean unlimited stay – Lom Ahlijah
2 hours -
From Golgotha to Kwahu: The Easter Migration of the Faithful and the Faithless
3 hours -
How the Ghanaian onion traders’ standoff with Nigeria unfolded and threatened local supply
3 hours -
No compensation for demolished structures on 24-Hour Economy market lands — Gov’t to structure owners
4 hours -
Financial Institutions must back local enterprises to spur growth – Deputy Minority Whip
4 hours -
Photos: Gomoa Easter Carnival 2026 ends in a burst of colour and celebration
4 hours -
Gomoa Easter carnival ends in colour as fashion, music and celebrity appearances light up final night
4 hours -
Families pick Luv Fm Family Party to celebrate Easter Monday with music and more
5 hours -
IMANI flags procurement issues in Ghana Gas insurance switch
5 hours -
Kaneshie footbridge rehabilitation to take up to 9 months — AMA
5 hours -
AMA confirms trading will be banned on Kaneshie footbridge after rehabilitation
5 hours