Officials say the fire that raged for more than four hours at Nairobi’s international airport has now been put out, but there are worries that it may still leave a huge economic impact.
The fire leaves Jomo Kenyatta International Airport — a key regional hub — hobbled. The airport is the main gateway for Western tourists to Eastern Africa, and also crucial to another key industry, fresh flower export.
Images show flames leaping from a main building and burning for hours before any serious attempt was mounted to bring it under control, highlighting the poor state of Kenya’s public and security services.
There are no immediate signs of terrorism, but the fire coincides with the 15th anniversary of the bombing of the U.S. embassies in Nairobi and in Dar es Salaam in neighboring Tanzania.
Hundreds of people were killed in those attacks, which also brought Osama bin Laden to public attention in the U.S.
Guest
- Gregory Warner, East Africa correspondent for NPR. He tweets @radiogrego.
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