Wildfire briefly closes Nepal's only international airport

[News_Editor]

Wildfire briefly closes Nepal's only international airport

2012-02-08 11:12:47 GMT+7 (ICT)

KATHMANDU, NEPAL (BNO NEWS) -- Smoke from a fast-moving wildfire in the Nepalese capital of Kathmandu closed the country's only international airport for more than an hour on Tuesday, aviation officials said. There were no injuries.

The wildfire near Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu was first spotted at approximately 5:35 p.m. local time by personnel from the airport authority. A fire truck which was sent to the scene failed to extinguish the fire, forcing the airport to declare an emergency at 6 p.m. local time as smoke spread across its only runway.

As the fire spread and additional fire trucks were sent to the scene, authorities at Tribhuvan International Airport decided to close the airport, forcing several domestic flights to divert to other airports. At least three international flights were asked to circle for more than an hour and several others were diverted to India.

Kathmandu police said the fire burned grassland and dry bushes over an area of approximately 5 square kilometers (1.9 square miles). It took firefighters until about 7:15 p.m. local time to bring the blaze under control, after which the airport was reopened about 10 minutes later.

The cause of the fire, which spread as far as the outer fence of Tribhuvan International Airport, was not immediately known. Airport property was not damaged and there were no reports of casualties. A committee has been formed to lead the investigation.

Tribhuvan International Airport is Nepal's main airport and the only one with international flights. Tuesday's fire took place at the start of the February spring tourism season in the South Asian country, which is known for being home to many of the world's highest mountain peaks.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2012-02-08