Key Points
- A massive fire broke out early Thursday at Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport, crippling the immigration system and halting all international flights.
- Over 30 international flights were cancelled or diverted, including several Hajj flights; thousands of passengers stranded.
- The fire, reportedly caused by a short circuit in the immigration area’s ceiling, filled the terminal with heavy smoke, forcing mass evacuation.
- Emergency responders contained the blaze within hours; no fatalities reported, but some passengers fell ill from smoke inhalation.
- International operations remain suspended as authorities repair the immigration system; domestic and cargo flights are gradually resuming.
- An official investigation has been launched to determine the cause and assess the damage.
Lahore: A devastating fire erupted in the early hours of Thursday at Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport, plunging Pakistan’s third-busiest airport into chaos and stranding thousands of passengers. The blaze, which started around 5:30 am in the ceiling above the immigration counters, rapidly engulfed the international departure lounge, sending thick plumes of smoke throughout the terminal.
How the Incident Unfolded
According to airport officials, the fire was triggered by a suspected short circuit in the immigration area’s electrical system. Flames quickly spread, destroying the Federal Investigation Agency’s immigration equipment and forcing a complete shutdown of the airport’s international operations.
Passengers, including hundreds of Hajj pilgrims preparing for their flights to Saudi Arabia, were evacuated as emergency alarms sounded. Eyewitness videos showed panicked crowds fleeing the smoke-filled terminal, with some passengers-particularly a woman and child-requiring medical attention after inhaling smoke.
Impact on Flights and Passengers
The fire’s immediate fallout was severe:
- All international flights were suspended for at least five hours, with the suspension later extended until 10 pm as technicians worked to restore the immigration system.
- Over 30 international flights were cancelled or diverted to other airports, including Islamabad and Faisalabad.
- Several Hajj flights, a critical operation at this time of year, were delayed or rerouted. Some Hajj pilgrims had to return to the lounge after boarding, while others were cleared through manual immigration or shifted to the domestic terminal.
- Domestic and cargo flights were less affected, but some delays were reported as airport staff focused on emergency response and system repairs.
Emergency Response and Recovery
Airport Security Force personnel and Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) firefighters responded quickly, containing the blaze within a few hours and preventing any fatalities. However, the damage to the immigration system was extensive, and the terminal remained closed to international departures as technicians worked to restore operations.
CAA officials assured the public that the situation was under control and that efforts were underway to resume normal flight operations as soon as possible. International arrivals were processed through the domestic terminal, and passengers were advised to check with airlines for the latest updates.
Investigation and Official Response
Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi ordered a thorough investigation into the incident, demanding a detailed report on the cause and the airport’s emergency preparedness. Senior CAA officials were dispatched to Lahore to oversee the restoration of services and assess the extent of the damage.
Current Status
As of the latest updates, the airport is gradually returning to normal, with domestic and cargo flights resuming and international operations expected to restart once the immigration system is fully restored. No casualties have been reported, but the incident has raised concerns about infrastructure safety and emergency response at one of Pakistan’s busiest travel hubs.
“The fire, originating from the immigration counter’s ceiling, filled the lounge with smoke, necessitating the evacuation of passengers. The incident’s ripple effect extended to flight schedules, with the first Hajj departure and five other international flights encountering delays.”
: Civil Aviation Authority spokesperson
A catastrophic fire at Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport on Thursday destroyed the immigration system, forced the cancellation and diversion of over 30 international flights-including critical Hajj departures-and left thousands stranded. While emergency teams quickly contained the blaze and no fatalities occurred, the airport’s international operations remain suspended as authorities rush to restore services and investigate the cause.
