No fewer than 90 passengers aboard Istanbul bound Turkish Airline
cheated death at Malam Aminu Kano International Airport Tuesday night
when a petrol tanker refuelling it reportedly burst into flame.
The incident, which occurred around 10.45p.m. triggered pandemonium at the airfield as those around the scene took cover.
It was learnt that the timely intervention of men of Fire Service
Department of the airport saved the day as they battled the inferno for
over an hour to restore normalcy.
A competent source at the airport revealed that gallant fire service men
mobilised and pushed off the aircraft, a Boeing 747, from the trouble
spot before concentrating on extinguishing the inferno.
The account revealed that the visibly shocked passengers hurriedly
disembarked into a waiting bus that conveyed them to an unnamed
five-star hotel in the city.
Although, the aircraft was not damaged by the inferno, but the airliner
was said to have cancelled the scheduled flight to enable their
demoralised passengers recover from shock.
However, it could not be ascertained at press time when the aircraft
would continue its flight against the backdrop that it was certified air
worthy by officials of National Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA.
Attempt to speak to the airline operator over the development failed as
the Corporate Affairs Manager, AbdulHameed directed that enquiries
should be directed to
