Following the devastating fire that ripped through Terminal 1 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) on Monday, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has issued a formal status report on the victims and the ongoing recovery efforts at the nation’s busiest gateway.

The authority confirmed that while the inferno caused significant disruption and trapped over a dozen staff, the focus has now shifted to medical care and the restoration of critical flight operations.

Providing much-needed clarity on the casualties, FAAN disclosed that six individuals—comprising three males and three females—sustained injuries during the heat of the emergency.

Despite the intensity of the smoke and the chaos of the evacuation, the agency delivered a positive update:

With the fire now “largely under control,” safety teams have moved into the recovery phase. Preliminary findings confirmed the fire was ignited in the first-floor server room, sending thick plumes of smoke through the departure hall and up toward the higher floors.

The most critical hurdle in the recovery process remains the damaged Control Tower. Because 14 people had to be rescued via crane from the tower, the facility is currently offline, forcing a total suspension of airfield operations.

To prevent a prolonged aviation crisis, the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has been deployed to site. They are currently working to establish a temporary Control Tower to allow for a “safe and timely restoration” of international flights.

FAAN maintains that all emergency protocols were activated with “precision,” and they are collaborating with various agencies to ensure the “operational integrity” of the airport is not permanently compromised.

For now, the international wing remains a restricted zone as structural and safety engineers begin their walk-throughs to determine when it will be safe for the public to return.