Fire broke out at Cape Town International Airport on Tuesday, forcing major disruptions to both international and some domestic flights and leaving travellers confused and delayed.
“The blaze, which started near the international terminal building, was extinguished by emergency crews and no injuries have been reported” , confirmed the airport officials.
Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) said that the fire affected network and information technology systems, including Wi-Fi and other essential services, which led to temporary suspension of international departures and the diversion of incoming flights.
Travellers on aircraft already in Cape Town were processed manually and passengers were urged to check directly with their airlines for the latest flight updates.
Many passengers described scenes of confusion as power outages and communication failures left check‑in counters and screens offline.
In some areas of the terminal, travellers were evacuated while firefighters tackled the blaze.
ACSA(Airports Company South Africa) said passenger safety remains a top priority and thanked stakeholders for their patience.
Officials also advised that domestic flights continued with fewer disruptions but encouraged all passengers to stay updated through the airport’s mobile app or airline notifications as the situation stabilises.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation, and authorities are expected to provide more details as they become available.
Sub-Editor: Sekgala Mokgadi
