90 escape death at Aminu Kano Airport

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.

Newsmen 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 confided in newsmen 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

airport officials who were also keeping sealed lips.