FAAN shuts airspace after fire guts Lagos Airport

By Abubakar Yunusa

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) said the airspace remains temporarily closed following a fire incident at terminal one of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.
In an update on Monday, FAAN said the decision was taken in line with established safety protocols.
The agency said six casualties — three males and three females — were recorded, all of whom are in stable condition.
According to FAAN, one of the affected individuals has been transferred to the FAAN headquarters hospital for further medical evaluation and remains stable.
“Emergency response operations remain active, with coordinated firefighting, rescue, and safety teams continuing containment and recovery efforts,” the authority said.
“A crane was successfully deployed to support rescue operations at the Control Tower, and all fourteen (14) persons initially trapped have been safely rescued and fully evacuated from the facility.”
FAAN said as an additional safety precaution, the sixth floor of the affected facility has been completely evacuated to support ongoing emergency operations and risk mitigation.
The agency said preliminary findings by the fire service indicate that the fire originated from the server room on the first floor of terminal one.
“The fire within the departure hall is now largely under control, while responders continue close monitoring to prevent any spread to adjoining sections of the terminal,” FAAN said.
“In line with established safety protocols, the airspace remains temporarily closed. Meanwhile, the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) is actively working to establish a temporary Control Tower to enable the safe and timely restoration of airport operations as soon as practicable.”
The authority said all emergency procedures were promptly activated, adding that it is working with relevant emergency and support agencies to protect lives, infrastructure and operations.