Afghanistan crisis: Five people killed at Kabul airport chaos

Five people were killed in chaos at Kabul airport on Monday as hundreds of people tried to forcibly board evacuation flights meant for embassy workers.

Taliban fighters on Sunday invaded the outskirts of Kabul, demanding a transfer of power.

Ashraf Gani, Afghanistan president, had fled the country as fighters entered the presidential palace.

In the ensuing chaos, thousands of Afghans headed for the airport in the hope of catching a flight out of the country.

But Afghanistan’s civil aviation authority announced a temporary cancellation of flights from the capital city of Kabul, leaving thousands of people stranded and many crowded on the tarmac.

The aviation authority had warned that the massive rush of passengers to the airport in the chaotic situation could lead to looting and disorderly conduct.

According to Reuters, witnesses said it was not immediately clear how the victims died.

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A United States official reportedly said troops had fired into the air to stop people from trying to force their way onto a military flight that was set to take U.S diplomats and embassy workers out of the fallen city.

One witness, waiting for a flight out of the city for more than 20 hours, said it was unclear if the five had been shot or killed in a stampede.

In 2001, U.S-led forces removed the Taliban from power, but the group has returned, asking to take over the central government.

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On August 6, they took control of Zaranj, the regional capital, and have, in the past few weeks, claimed over 20 of Afghanistan’s 34 provincial capitals.

Citizens and foreigners have been fleeing the south Asian country over concerns for their safety.

The Taliban have, however, reportedly insisted their fighters would not enter people’s homes or interfere with businesses.

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