LAHORE (Dunya News) – A fire at the Federal Investigation Agency's (FIA's) immigration hall on Thursday damaged immigiration system and disrupted flight operations at the Allama Iqbal International Airport of Lahore.
The blaze suddently broke out in the immigration hall in the wee hours of Thursday and spread to entire hall. Panic gripped the people and there was a stampede-like situation. Panic-striken passengers at the airport were seen running here and there to save their lives.
Authorities, however, had the immigration hall of the airport vacated.
The smoke filled the area around immigration hall and created hardships for public. According to initial reports, the blaze destroyed the immigration system at the airport.
Sources said the process of the immigration was stopped.
On the other hand, below-strength teams of fire brigade and Rescue 1122 reached the airport but failed to launch rescue operation.
The airport authorities said the cause of the fire was yet to be ascertained.
Flight operations
Meanwhile, many flights were diverted to other destinations due to damage to the immigration system of the airport. A Sri Lankan flight was diverted and another flight which was to depart for Saudi Arabia, was halted.
As a matter of co-incidence, the fire incident took place on the first day of flight operations for Hajj. Several flights are scheduled to depart for Saudi Arabia from the Lahore airport.