VIDEO: Chaotic scenes at Kabul International Airport as thousands attempt to flee

The situation at Kabul’s international airport is chaotic as thousands attempt to flee the Taliban who marched into Afghanistan’s capital city yesterday.

The US has sent back-up troops to secure the airport with Nato forces. Its near-6000 soldier operation would be taking over air traffic control, the state department said.

Foreign nations are prioritising evacuations of their diplomats and citizens from the capital. But the US said it would also accelerate efforts to evacuate Afghans who had worked for them – like translators – as well as vulnerable locals who are eligible for special immigrant visas.

“For all categories, Afghans who have cleared security screening will continue to be transferred directly to the United States. And we will find additional locations for those yet to be screened,” the state department said.

But it’s unclear how soon that will occur. Eyewitnesses say there’s little order at the airport at present – they have reported near-stampedes to get on planes, and staff missing from check-in counters and security checks.

Another Saigon moment: chaotic scenes at Kabul International Airport. No security. None. pic.twitter.com/6BuXqBTHWk

— Saad Mohseni (@saadmohseni) August 15, 2021

Source: BBC