Operations at the international wing of Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport were disrupted on Monday after a fire outbreak in Terminal 1 forced an emergency shutdown of flight activities and triggered large-scale evacuation and rescue operations.

The incident, confirmed by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), reportedly originated from the server room on the first floor of the terminal. Emergency response teams were swiftly deployed to contain the blaze and rescue personnel trapped within the Control Tower.

FAAN disclosed that 14 individuals who were initially stranded in the tower were successfully evacuated using a crane and specialised rescue equipment. Six persons — three males and three females — sustained varying degrees of injury and are currently receiving medical attention.

“One of the injured victims was transferred to the FAAN Headquarters Hospital for further treatment, while others were stabilised on site,” the agency stated, adding that all affected persons are in stable condition.

As a precautionary measure, the sixth floor of the terminal was evacuated to support firefighting operations and reduce risk of further escalation. Authorities confirmed that the fire within the departure hall had been largely contained, with responders maintaining surveillance to prevent a resurgence.

In line with safety protocols, airport operations at the international wing were temporarily suspended, effectively grounding flight movements until conditions are deemed secure for resumption.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency has initiated plans to install a temporary Control Tower to accelerate the restoration of full airspace operations. The move aims to minimise disruptions and ensure safe coordination of flight activities as repair and recovery efforts continue.

FAAN assured passengers and aviation stakeholders that established emergency procedures were promptly activated and that collaborative efforts with relevant agencies remain ongoing to safeguard lives and infrastructure.

Investigations into the cause of the fire are underway, with further updates expected as authorities continue to assess the extent of damage and implement measures to prevent recurrence.