Kabul: At least five people were killed at Kabul airport on Monday as thousands of Afghans and other residents made a desperate attempt to leave the country.
Reuters quoted witnesses as saying that stampedes took place as hundreds of people stormed the tarmac and tried to get aboard planes leaving Kabul. One witness said he saw bodies of five people being taken to a vehicle.
Gunshots were also heard in the airport, as US troops — who are in charge of the airport — fired in the air to scatter the panic-stricken crowd, leading to speculation that some of those killed may have been hit by bullets.
Watch videos posted on Twitter showing chaotic scenes at Kabul airport:
The sheer helplessness at Kabul airport. It’s heartbreaking! #KabulHasFallen pic.twitter.com/brA3WRdPp8
— Ahmer Khan (@ahmermkhan) August 16, 2021
#Afghanistan: Total chaos and helplessness at Kabul airport this morning (August 16).pic.twitter.com/16nHRO0RCY
— Ahmer Khan (@ahmermkhan) August 16, 2021
According to a US official, the troops had fired in air to disperse people who were trying to force their way into a military flight meant to ferry diplomats and Embassy staff out of the city taken over by the Taliban on Sunday.
After President Ashraf Ghani fled the country, Taliban captured the presidential palace.
Also Read: Where Does Taliban That Took Over Afghanistan Get Money From?
