Afghanistan has descended into chaos following the Taliban’s capture of the capital, Kabul. The situation has resulted in a massive scramble as people struggle to escape the country out of fear.
The crisis began after the announcement by the U.S. of its planned withdrawal from Afghanistan on the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks this year.
The Taliban has since been making steady advances, with major cities falling to its militant fighters.
Coalition forces comprising mainly NATO countries say they aren’t returning to the country, despite the move by the Taliban which could potentially erase the gains made to install democracy and human rights.
President Ashraf Ghani is reported to have abandoned the presidential palace and fled the country shortly before news broke of the successful capture of the capital early hours of Monday.
Desperate Afghans were seen clinging on to a U.S. Airforce plane as it taxied on the airport tarmac.
According to Reuters, U.S. troops who are in charge of the airport later fired into the air to disperse the crowd.
It also reported that at least five people were killed but it is not clear whether they died of gunshot wounds or stampede as hundreds tried to force their way into waiting for aircraft.