BREAKING NEWS

Rome's airport gradually re-opening after blaze

By REUTERS

MAY 7, 2015 16:12

ROME - Rome's main Fiumicino airport was gradually reopening on Thursday after a fire badly damaged the main international terminal building and forced the cancellation of dozens of flights, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded.

The airport, Italy's busiest with 39 million passengers in 2014, was shut down when the blaze started in Terminal 3 just after midnight (2200 GMT).

As services slowly resumed, travellers, some of whom had to carry their luggage for up to a kilometer because of previous road closures, were being sent to other terminals, where they experienced long delays.

The fire, which one official called "very violent", sent thick clouds of smoke billowing out of the building until mid-morning. It was believed to have been started by a short circuit in an electrical cabin that was under maintenance in an area of shops, an airport official told reporters.

A police source there was no indication that the fire was the result of arson, but an investigation was continuing.

At least three people suffered smoke inhalation, a fire brigade official said, adding that the situation might have been much worse had the fire broken out during the day, when the terminal is crowded. A number of shops were seriously damaged.

Amichai Chikli: Biden admin. doesn't project power, I would choose Trump

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF

04/24/2024 08:46 AM

Argentina submits an official request to arrest Iran's interior minister

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF

04/24/2024 08:31 AM

Russian priest presiding over Navalny's memorial suspended from duties

By REUTERS

04/24/2024 08:12 AM

IDF preparing to start Rafah operation 'very soon'

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF

04/24/2024 07:55 AM