Since the Taliban had seized all border crossings, the Kabul Airport remained the only secure

route
out of Afghanistan.[36] After the fall of Herat on 12 August, the US and United Kingdom announced
the deployment of 3,000 and 600 of their troops respectively to Kabul Airport in order to secure
the airlifting of their nationals, embassy staff, and Afghan citizens who worked with coalition forces,
out of the country.[36] American officials said that their first deployment would transpire in the next 24
to 48 hours and that all of their forces are still expected to leave Afghanistan by the end of August
2021.[37] A memorandum was sent to all embassy staff on 13 August to reduce "items with embassy
or agency logos, American flags or items which could be misused in propaganda efforts." [38] Small
plumes of smoke could be seen near the embassy roof as diplomats were reported to be rapidly
destroying classified documents and other sensitive materials. [36] Among the documents destroyed
were the passports of Afghan civilians who had applied for visas.[39]
As the Taliban surrounded and began entering Kabul, US Army CH-47 Chinook, UH-60 Black
Hawk and State Department Air Wing CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters were seen landing at the
American embassy to carry out evacuations. A convoy of armored sport utility vehicles (SUVs)
departed embassy grounds and an attack helicopter was reportedly seen deploying flares in the area
to defend against potential shoot-downs.[36] Along with the embassy personnel, 5,000 US troops and
some NATO troops remained in the city.[40][16] The US government later authorized the deployment of
1,000 additional troops from the 82nd Airborne to the airport, bolstering troop presence in Kabul to
6,000 to facilitate the evacuations.[41]

US Army 10th Mountain Division soldiers guarding the tarmac at Kabul Airport

Panic spread among the civilian population as the Taliban began seizing the capital, with many
citizens rushing to their homes or to the airport, which remained under NATO control after the
Afghan government dissolved.[36][11][25] A chaotic situation developed as thousands of fleeing Afghan
civilians rushed to Kabul airport, with hundreds crowding the tarmac in an attempt to catch flights out
of the city; some had climbed over boundary walls to enter the airstrip. [42][43] US soldiers hovered
helicopters low overhead as crowd control, deployed smoke grenades, and occasionally fired
warning shots into the air to disperse people attempting to forcefully board aircraft. [44][45][46] Video
footage emerged showing hundreds of people running alongside a moving US military C-17A
transport plane taxiing on the runway; some people could be seen clinging onto the aircraft, just
below the wing. Others were running alongside "waving and shouting". [47] At least two people, in an
apparent attempt to stowaway, were reportedly shown to "fall from the undercarriage immediately
after takeoff". Another body was later found in the landing gear of the C-17. [48] Three bodies,
including that of a woman, were also found on the ground outside near the passenger terminal
building, but their cause of death was unclear, though some observers speculated they may have
died during a stampede.[44][49] Seven people were eventually confirmed to have died during the airport
evacuation—including two armed men shot after approaching US Marines, according to the US
Department of Defense. The Marines were not injured and the men were not identified. [44][50]
At approximately 8:30 PM local time, reports emerged that the US embassy was taking fire. The
embassy issued a declaration instructing US citizens in the area to shelter in place. [51] Secretary of
State Antony Blinken announced that the embassy would be relocated to the airport [52] as the US
military had taken over security and air traffic control there.[53] By now, various other nations had
announced plans to evacuate their embassies, including Spain, Germany, the United Kingdom, and
the Netherlands.[54][55] The German government announced that it was sending A400M Atlas aircraft
with a contingent of paratroopers for evacuations, adding it would not seek the required
parliamentary approval for the operation until after the mission was complete. [56] The Italian
government was reported to have transferred its embassy staff as well as the families of 30 Afghan
employees to Kabul airport under Carabinieri guard to prepare for evacuation.[57] India was reported
to have had C-17 transport planes prepared to evacuate Indian diplomatic staff, but had anticipated
that it would take longer for the Taliban to capture Kabul. [58] One group of Indian diplomats were
escorted to the Airport by the Taliban, negotiating the escort after having had their passage out of
the Indian embassy blocked several times by the Taliban. [59] Albania said it had accepted a US
request to serve as a transit hub for evacuees.[60]
A flight by Emirates Airlines to Kabul was diverted, and later returned to Dubai[61] and United Arab
Emirates airline Flydubai announced that it would suspend flights to Kabul on 16 August. [62] By 16
August, most other airlines had also announced suspension of flights to Kabul. The Afghanistan Civil
Aviation Authority announced that it had released Kabul airspace to the military and warned that
"any transit through Kabul airspace will be uncontrolled." [63]
Since the Taliban had seized all border crossings, the Kabul Airport remained the only secure route
out of Afghanistan.[36] After the fall of Herat on 12 August, the US and United Kingdom announced
the deployment of 3,000 and 600 of their troops respectively to Kabul Airport in order to secure
the airlifting of their nationals, embassy staff, and Afghan citizens who worked with coalition forces,
out of the country.[36] American officials said that their first deployment would transpire in the next 24
to 48 hours and that all of their forces are still expected to leave Afghanistan by the end of August
2021.[37] A memorandum was sent to all embassy staff on 13 August to reduce "items with embassy
or agency logos, American flags or items which could be misused in propaganda efforts." [38] Small
plumes of smoke could be seen near the embassy roof as diplomats were reported to be rapidly
destroying classified documents and other sensitive materials. [36] Among the documents destroyed
were the passports of Afghan civilians who had applied for visas.[39]
As the Taliban surrounded and began entering Kabul, US Army CH-47 Chinook, UH-60 Black
Hawk and State Department Air Wing CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters were seen landing at the
American embassy to carry out evacuations. A convoy of armored sport utility vehicles (SUVs)
departed embassy grounds and an attack helicopter was reportedly seen deploying flares in the area
to defend against potential shoot-downs.[36] Along with the embassy personnel, 5,000 US troops and
some NATO troops remained in the city.[40][16] The US government later authorized the deployment of
1,000 additional troops from the 82nd Airborne to the airport, bolstering troop presence in Kabul to
6,000 to facilitate the evacuations.[41]

US Army 10th Mountain Division soldiers guarding the tarmac at Kabul Airport

Panic spread among the civilian population as the Taliban began seizing the capital, with many
citizens rushing to their homes or to the airport, which remained under NATO control after the
Afghan government dissolved.[36][11][25] A chaotic situation developed as thousands of fleeing Afghan
civilians rushed to Kabul airport, with hundreds crowding the tarmac in an attempt to catch flights out
of the city; some had climbed over boundary walls to enter the airstrip. [42][43] US soldiers hovered
helicopters low overhead as crowd control, deployed smoke grenades, and occasionally fired
warning shots into the air to disperse people attempting to forcefully board aircraft. [44][45][46] Video
footage emerged showing hundreds of people running alongside a moving US military C-17A
transport plane taxiing on the runway; some people could be seen clinging onto the aircraft, just
below the wing. Others were running alongside "waving and shouting". [47] At least two people, in an
apparent attempt to stowaway, were reportedly shown to "fall from the undercarriage immediately
after takeoff". Another body was later found in the landing gear of the C-17. [48] Three bodies,
including that of a woman, were also found on the ground outside near the passenger terminal
building, but their cause of death was unclear, though some observers speculated they may have
died during a stampede.[44][49] Seven people were eventually confirmed to have died during the airport
evacuation—including two armed men shot after approaching US Marines, according to the US
Department of Defense. The Marines were not injured and the men were not identified. [44][50]
At approximately 8:30 PM local time, reports emerged that the US embassy was taking fire. The
embassy issued a declaration instructing US citizens in the area to shelter in place. [51] Secretary of
State Antony Blinken announced that the embassy would be relocated to the airport [52] as the US
military had taken over security and air traffic control there.[53] By now, various other nations had
announced plans to evacuate their embassies, including Spain, Germany, the United Kingdom, and
the Netherlands.[54][55] The German government announced that it was sending A400M Atlas aircraft
with a contingent of paratroopers for evacuations, adding it would not seek the required
parliamentary approval for the operation until after the mission was complete. [56] The Italian
government was reported to have transferred its embassy staff as well as the families of 30 Afghan
employees to Kabul airport under Carabinieri guard to prepare for evacuation.[57] India was reported
to have had C-17 transport planes prepared to evacuate Indian diplomatic staff, but had anticipated
that it would take longer for the Taliban to capture Kabul. [58] One group of Indian diplomats were
escorted to the Airport by the Taliban, negotiating the escort after having had their passage out of
the Indian embassy blocked several times by the Taliban. [59] Albania said it had accepted a US
request to serve as a transit hub for evacuees.[60]
A flight by Emirates Airlines to Kabul was diverted, and later returned to Dubai[61] and United Arab
Emirates airline Flydubai announced that it would suspend flights to Kabul on 16 August. [62] By 16
August, most other airlines had also announced suspension of flights to Kabul. The Afghanistan Civil
Aviation Authority announced that it had released Kabul airspace to the military and warned that
"any transit through Kabul airspace will be uncontrolled." [63]
Since the Taliban had seized all border crossings, the Kabul Airport remained the only secure route
out of Afghanistan.[36] After the fall of Herat on 12 August, the US and United Kingdom announced
the deployment of 3,000 and 600 of their troops respectively to Kabul Airport in order to secure
the airlifting of their nationals, embassy staff, and Afghan citizens who worked with coalition forces,
out of the country.[36] American officials said that their first deployment would transpire in the next 24
to 48 hours and that all of their forces are still expected to leave Afghanistan by the end of August
2021.[37] A memorandum was sent to all embassy staff on 13 August to reduce "items with embassy
or agency logos, American flags or items which could be misused in propaganda efforts." [38] Small
plumes of smoke could be seen near the embassy roof as diplomats were reported to be rapidly
destroying classified documents and other sensitive materials. [36] Among the documents destroyed
were the passports of Afghan civilians who had applied for visas.[39]
As the Taliban surrounded and began entering Kabul, US Army CH-47 Chinook, UH-60 Black
Hawk and State Department Air Wing CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters were seen landing at the
American embassy to carry out evacuations. A convoy of armored sport utility vehicles (SUVs)
departed embassy grounds and an attack helicopter was reportedly seen deploying flares in the area
to defend against potential shoot-downs.[36] Along with the embassy personnel, 5,000 US troops and
some NATO troops remained in the city.[40][16] The US government later authorized the deployment of
1,000 additional troops from the 82nd Airborne to the airport, bolstering troop presence in Kabul to
6,000 to facilitate the evacuations.[41]
US Army 10th Mountain Division soldiers guarding the tarmac at Kabul Airport

Panic spread among the civilian population as the Taliban began seizing the capital, with many
citizens rushing to their homes or to the airport, which remained under NATO control after the
Afghan government dissolved.[36][11][25] A chaotic situation developed as thousands of fleeing Afghan
civilians rushed to Kabul airport, with hundreds crowding the tarmac in an attempt to catch flights out
of the city; some had climbed over boundary walls to enter the airstrip. [42][43] US soldiers hovered
helicopters low overhead as crowd control, deployed smoke grenades, and occasionally fired
warning shots into the air to disperse people attempting to forcefully board aircraft. [44][45][46] Video
footage emerged showing hundreds of people running alongside a moving US military C-17A
transport plane taxiing on the runway; some people could be seen clinging onto the aircraft, just
below the wing. Others were running alongside "waving and shouting". [47] At least two people, in an
apparent attempt to stowaway, were reportedly shown to "fall from the undercarriage immediately
after takeoff". Another body was later found in the landing gear of the C-17. [48] Three bodies,
including that of a woman, were also found on the ground outside near the passenger terminal
building, but their cause of death was unclear, though some observers speculated they may have
died during a stampede.[44][49] Seven people were eventually confirmed to have died during the airport
evacuation—including two armed men shot after approaching US Marines, according to the US
Department of Defense. The Marines were not injured and the men were not identified. [44][50]
At approximately 8:30 PM local time, reports emerged that the US embassy was taking fire. The
embassy issued a declaration instructing US citizens in the area to shelter in place. [51] Secretary of
State Antony Blinken announced that the embassy would be relocated to the airport [52] as the US
military had taken over security and air traffic control there.[53] By now, various other nations had
announced plans to evacuate their embassies, including Spain, Germany, the United Kingdom, and
the Netherlands.[54][55] The German government announced that it was sending A400M Atlas aircraft
with a contingent of paratroopers for evacuations, adding it would not seek the required
parliamentary approval for the operation until after the mission was complete. [56] The Italian
government was reported to have transferred its embassy staff as well as the families of 30 Afghan
employees to Kabul airport under Carabinieri guard to prepare for evacuation.[57] India was reported
to have had C-17 transport planes prepared to evacuate Indian diplomatic staff, but had anticipated
that it would take longer for the Taliban to capture Kabul. [58] One group of Indian diplomats were
escorted to the Airport by the Taliban, negotiating the escort after having had their passage out of
the Indian embassy blocked several times by the Taliban. [59] Albania said it had accepted a US
request to serve as a transit hub for evacuees.[60]
A flight by Emirates Airlines to Kabul was diverted, and later returned to Dubai[61] and United Arab
Emirates airline Flydubai announced that it would suspend flights to Kabul on 16 August. [62] By 16
August, most other airlines had also announced suspension of flights to Kabul. The Afghanistan Civil
Aviation Authority announced that it had released Kabul airspace to the military and warned that
"any transit through Kabul airspace will be uncontrolled." [63]
Since the Taliban had seized all border crossings, the Kabul Airport remained the only secure route
out of Afghanistan.[36] After the fall of Herat on 12 August, the US and United Kingdom announced
the deployment of 3,000 and 600 of their troops respectively to Kabul Airport in order to secure
the airlifting of their nationals, embassy staff, and Afghan citizens who worked with coalition forces,
out of the country.[36] American officials said that their first deployment would transpire in the next 24
to 48 hours and that all of their forces are still expected to leave Afghanistan by the end of August
2021.[37] A memorandum was sent to all embassy staff on 13 August to reduce "items with embassy
or agency logos, American flags or items which could be misused in propaganda efforts." [38] Small
plumes of smoke could be seen near the embassy roof as diplomats were reported to be rapidly
destroying classified documents and other sensitive materials. [36] Among the documents destroyed
were the passports of Afghan civilians who had applied for visas.[39]
As the Taliban surrounded and began entering Kabul, US Army CH-47 Chinook, UH-60 Black
Hawk and State Department Air Wing CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters were seen landing at the
American embassy to carry out evacuations. A convoy of armored sport utility vehicles (SUVs)
departed embassy grounds and an attack helicopter was reportedly seen deploying flares in the area
to defend against potential shoot-downs.[36] Along with the embassy personnel, 5,000 US troops and
some NATO troops remained in the city.[40][16] The US government later authorized the deployment of
1,000 additional troops from the 82nd Airborne to the airport, bolstering troop presence in Kabul to
6,000 to facilitate the evacuations.[41]

US Army 10th Mountain Division soldiers guarding the tarmac at Kabul Airport

Panic spread among the civilian population as the Taliban began seizing the capital, with many
citizens rushing to their homes or to the airport, which remained under NATO control after the
Afghan government dissolved.[36][11][25] A chaotic situation developed as thousands of fleeing Afghan
civilians rushed to Kabul airport, with hundreds crowding the tarmac in an attempt to catch flights out
of the city; some had climbed over boundary walls to enter the airstrip. [42][43] US soldiers hovered
helicopters low overhead as crowd control, deployed smoke grenades, and occasionally fired
warning shots into the air to disperse people attempting to forcefully board aircraft. [44][45][46] Video
footage emerged showing hundreds of people running alongside a moving US military C-17A
transport plane taxiing on the runway; some people could be seen clinging onto the aircraft, just
below the wing. Others were running alongside "waving and shouting". [47] At least two people, in an
apparent attempt to stowaway, were reportedly shown to "fall from the undercarriage immediately
after takeoff". Another body was later found in the landing gear of the C-17. [48] Three bodies,
including that of a woman, were also found on the ground outside near the passenger terminal
building, but their cause of death was unclear, though some observers speculated they may have
died during a stampede.[44][49] Seven people were eventually confirmed to have died during the airport
evacuation—including two armed men shot after approaching US Marines, according to the US
Department of Defense. The Marines were not injured and the men were not identified. [44][50]
At approximately 8:30 PM local time, reports emerged that the US embassy was taking fire. The
embassy issued a declaration instructing US citizens in the area to shelter in place. [51] Secretary of
State Antony Blinken announced that the embassy would be relocated to the airport [52] as the US
military had taken over security and air traffic control there.[53] By now, various other nations had
announced plans to evacuate their embassies, including Spain, Germany, the United Kingdom, and
the Netherlands.[54][55] The German government announced that it was sending A400M Atlas aircraft
with a contingent of paratroopers for evacuations, adding it would not seek the required
parliamentary approval for the operation until after the mission was complete. [56] The Italian
government was reported to have transferred its embassy staff as well as the families of 30 Afghan
employees to Kabul airport under Carabinieri guard to prepare for evacuation.[57] India was reported
to have had C-17 transport planes prepared to evacuate Indian diplomatic staff, but had anticipated
that it would take longer for the Taliban to capture Kabul. [58] One group of Indian diplomats were
escorted to the Airport by the Taliban, negotiating the escort after having had their passage out of
the Indian embassy blocked several times by the Taliban. [59] Albania said it had accepted a US
request to serve as a transit hub for evacuees.[60]
A flight by Emirates Airlines to Kabul was diverted, and later returned to Dubai[61] and United Arab
Emirates airline Flydubai announced that it would suspend flights to Kabul on 16 August. [62] By 16
August, most other airlines had also announced suspension of flights to Kabul. The Afghanistan Civil
Aviation Authority announced that it had released Kabul airspace to the military and warned that
"any transit through Kabul airspace will be uncontrolled." [63]
Since the Taliban had seized all border crossings, the Kabul Airport remained the only secure route
out of Afghanistan.[36] After the fall of Herat on 12 August, the US and United Kingdom announced
the deployment of 3,000 and 600 of their troops respectively to Kabul Airport in order to secure
the airlifting of their nationals, embassy staff, and Afghan citizens who worked with coalition forces,
out of the country.[36] American officials said that their first deployment would transpire in the next 24
to 48 hours and that all of their forces are still expected to leave Afghanistan by the end of August
2021.[37] A memorandum was sent to all embassy staff on 13 August to reduce "items with embassy
or agency logos, American flags or items which could be misused in propaganda efforts." [38] Small
plumes of smoke could be seen near the embassy roof as diplomats were reported to be rapidly
destroying classified documents and other sensitive materials. [36] Among the documents destroyed
were the passports of Afghan civilians who had applied for visas.[39]
As the Taliban surrounded and began entering Kabul, US Army CH-47 Chinook, UH-60 Black
Hawk and State Department Air Wing CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters were seen landing at the
American embassy to carry out evacuations. A convoy of armored sport utility vehicles (SUVs)
departed embassy grounds and an attack helicopter was reportedly seen deploying flares in the area
to defend against potential shoot-downs.[36] Along with the embassy personnel, 5,000 US troops and
some NATO troops remained in the city.[40][16] The US government later authorized the deployment of
1,000 additional troops from the 82nd Airborne to the airport, bolstering troop presence in Kabul to
6,000 to facilitate the evacuations.[41]

US Army 10th Mountain Division soldiers guarding the tarmac at Kabul Airport

Panic spread among the civilian population as the Taliban began seizing the capital, with many
citizens rushing to their homes or to the airport, which remained under NATO control after the
Afghan government dissolved.[36][11][25] A chaotic situation developed as thousands of fleeing Afghan
civilians rushed to Kabul airport, with hundreds crowding the tarmac in an attempt to catch flights out
of the city; some had climbed over boundary walls to enter the airstrip. [42][43] US soldiers hovered
helicopters low overhead as crowd control, deployed smoke grenades, and occasionally fired
warning shots into the air to disperse people attempting to forcefully board aircraft. [44][45][46] Video
footage emerged showing hundreds of people running alongside a moving US military C-17A
transport plane taxiing on the runway; some people could be seen clinging onto the aircraft, just
below the wing. Others were running alongside "waving and shouting". [47] At least two people, in an
apparent attempt to stowaway, were reportedly shown to "fall from the undercarriage immediately
after takeoff". Another body was later found in the landing gear of the C-17. [48] Three bodies,
including that of a woman, were also found on the ground outside near the passenger terminal
building, but their cause of death was unclear, though some observers speculated they may have
died during a stampede.[44][49] Seven people were eventually confirmed to have died during the airport
evacuation—including two armed men shot after approaching US Marines, according to the US
Department of Defense. The Marines were not injured and the men were not identified. [44][50]
At approximately 8:30 PM local time, reports emerged that the US embassy was taking fire. The
embassy issued a declaration instructing US citizens in the area to shelter in place. [51] Secretary of
State Antony Blinken announced that the embassy would be relocated to the airport [52] as the US
military had taken over security and air traffic control there.[53] By now, various other nations had
announced plans to evacuate their embassies, including Spain, Germany, the United Kingdom, and
the Netherlands.[54][55] The German government announced that it was sending A400M Atlas aircraft
with a contingent of paratroopers for evacuations, adding it would not seek the required
parliamentary approval for the operation until after the mission was complete. [56] The Italian
government was reported to have transferred its embassy staff as well as the families of 30 Afghan
employees to Kabul airport under Carabinieri guard to prepare for evacuation.[57] India was reported
to have had C-17 transport planes prepared to evacuate Indian diplomatic staff, but had anticipated
that it would take longer for the Taliban to capture Kabul. [58] One group of Indian diplomats were
escorted to the Airport by the Taliban, negotiating the escort after having had their passage out of
the Indian embassy blocked several times by the Taliban. [59] Albania said it had accepted a US
request to serve as a transit hub for evacuees.[60]
A flight by Emirates Airlines to Kabul was diverted, and later returned to Dubai[61] and United Arab
Emirates airline Flydubai announced that it would suspend flights to Kabul on 16 August. [62] By 16
August, most other airlines had also announced suspension of flights to Kabul. The Afghanistan Civil
Aviation Authority announced that it had released Kabul airspace to the military and warned that
"any transit through Kabul airspace will be uncontrolled." [63]
Since the Taliban had seized all border crossings, the Kabul Airport remained the only secure route
out of Afghanistan.[36] After the fall of Herat on 12 August, the US and United Kingdom announced
the deployment of 3,000 and 600 of their troops respectively to Kabul Airport in order to secure
the airlifting of their nationals, embassy staff, and Afghan citizens who worked with coalition forces,
out of the country.[36] American officials said that their first deployment would transpire in the next 24
to 48 hours and that all of their forces are still expected to leave Afghanistan by the end of August
2021.[37] A memorandum was sent to all embassy staff on 13 August to reduce "items with embassy
or agency logos, American flags or items which could be misused in propaganda efforts." [38] Small
plumes of smoke could be seen near the embassy roof as diplomats were reported to be rapidly
destroying classified documents and other sensitive materials. [36] Among the documents destroyed
were the passports of Afghan civilians who had applied for visas.[39]
As the Taliban surrounded and began entering Kabul, US Army CH-47 Chinook, UH-60 Black
Hawk and State Department Air Wing CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters were seen landing at the
American embassy to carry out evacuations. A convoy of armored sport utility vehicles (SUVs)
departed embassy grounds and an attack helicopter was reportedly seen deploying flares in the area
to defend against potential shoot-downs.[36] Along with the embassy personnel, 5,000 US troops and
some NATO troops remained in the city.[40][16] The US government later authorized the deployment of
1,000 additional troops from the 82nd Airborne to the airport, bolstering troop presence in Kabul to
6,000 to facilitate the evacuations.[41]
US Army 10th Mountain Division soldiers guarding the tarmac at Kabul Airport

Panic spread among the civilian population as the Taliban began seizing the capital, with many
citizens rushing to their homes or to the airport, which remained under NATO control after the
Afghan government dissolved.[36][11][25] A chaotic situation developed as thousands of fleeing Afghan
civilians rushed to Kabul airport, with hundreds crowding the tarmac in an attempt to catch flights out
of the city; some had climbed over boundary walls to enter the airstrip. [42][43] US soldiers hovered
helicopters low overhead as crowd control, deployed smoke grenades, and occasionally fired
warning shots into the air to disperse people attempting to forcefully board aircraft. [44][45][46] Video
footage emerged showing hundreds of people running alongside a moving US military C-17A
transport plane taxiing on the runway; some people could be seen clinging onto the aircraft, just
below the wing. Others were running alongside "waving and shouting". [47] At least two people, in an
apparent attempt to stowaway, were reportedly shown to "fall from the undercarriage immediately
after takeoff". Another body was later found in the landing gear of the C-17. [48] Three bodies,
including that of a woman, were also found on the ground outside near the passenger terminal
building, but their cause of death was unclear, though some observers speculated they may have
died during a stampede.[44][49] Seven people were eventually confirmed to have died during the airport
evacuation—including two armed men shot after approaching US Marines, according to the US
Department of Defense. The Marines were not injured and the men were not identified. [44][50]
At approximately 8:30 PM local time, reports emerged that the US embassy was taking fire. The
embassy issued a declaration instructing US citizens in the area to shelter in place. [51] Secretary of
State Antony Blinken announced that the embassy would be relocated to the airport [52] as the US
military had taken over security and air traffic control there.[53] By now, various other nations had
announced plans to evacuate their embassies, including Spain, Germany, the United Kingdom, and
the Netherlands.[54][55] The German government announced that it was sending A400M Atlas aircraft
with a contingent of paratroopers for evacuations, adding it would not seek the required
parliamentary approval for the operation until after the mission was complete. [56] The Italian
government was reported to have transferred its embassy staff as well as the families of 30 Afghan
employees to Kabul airport under Carabinieri guard to prepare for evacuation.[57] India was reported
to have had C-17 transport planes prepared to evacuate Indian diplomatic staff, but had anticipated
that it would take longer for the Taliban to capture Kabul. [58] One group of Indian diplomats were
escorted to the Airport by the Taliban, negotiating the escort after having had their passage out of
the Indian embassy blocked several times by the Taliban. [59] Albania said it had accepted a US
request to serve as a transit hub for evacuees.[60]
A flight by Emirates Airlines to Kabul was diverted, and later returned to Dubai[61] and United Arab
Emirates airline Flydubai announced that it would suspend flights to Kabul on 16 August. [62] By 16
August, most other airlines had also announced suspension of flights to Kabul. The Afghanistan Civil
Aviation Authority announced that it had released Kabul airspace to the military and warned that
"any transit through Kabul airspace will be uncontrolled." [63]
Since the Taliban had seized all border crossings, the Kabul Airport remained the only secure route
out of Afghanistan.[36] After the fall of Herat on 12 August, the US and United Kingdom announced
the deployment of 3,000 and 600 of their troops respectively to Kabul Airport in order to secure
the airlifting of their nationals, embassy staff, and Afghan citizens who worked with coalition forces,
out of the country.[36] American officials said that their first deployment would transpire in the next 24
to 48 hours and that all of their forces are still expected to leave Afghanistan by the end of August
2021.[37] A memorandum was sent to all embassy staff on 13 August to reduce "items with embassy
or agency logos, American flags or items which could be misused in propaganda efforts." [38] Small
plumes of smoke could be seen near the embassy roof as diplomats were reported to be rapidly
destroying classified documents and other sensitive materials. [36] Among the documents destroyed
were the passports of Afghan civilians who had applied for visas.[39]
As the Taliban surrounded and began entering Kabul, US Army CH-47 Chinook, UH-60 Black
Hawk and State Department Air Wing CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters were seen landing at the
American embassy to carry out evacuations. A convoy of armored sport utility vehicles (SUVs)
departed embassy grounds and an attack helicopter was reportedly seen deploying flares in the area
to defend against potential shoot-downs.[36] Along with the embassy personnel, 5,000 US troops and
some NATO troops remained in the city.[40][16] The US government later authorized the deployment of
1,000 additional troops from the 82nd Airborne to the airport, bolstering troop presence in Kabul to
6,000 to facilitate the evacuations.[41]

US Army 10th Mountain Division soldiers guarding the tarmac at Kabul Airport

Panic spread among the civilian population as the Taliban began seizing the capital, with many
citizens rushing to their homes or to the airport, which remained under NATO control after the
Afghan government dissolved.[36][11][25] A chaotic situation developed as thousands of fleeing Afghan
civilians rushed to Kabul airport, with hundreds crowding the tarmac in an attempt to catch flights out
of the city; some had climbed over boundary walls to enter the airstrip. [42][43] US soldiers hovered
helicopters low overhead as crowd control, deployed smoke grenades, and occasionally fired
warning shots into the air to disperse people attempting to forcefully board aircraft. [44][45][46] Video
footage emerged showing hundreds of people running alongside a moving US military C-17A
transport plane taxiing on the runway; some people could be seen clinging onto the aircraft, just
below the wing. Others were running alongside "waving and shouting". [47] At least two people, in an
apparent attempt to stowaway, were reportedly shown to "fall from the undercarriage immediately
after takeoff". Another body was later found in the landing gear of the C-17. [48] Three bodies,
including that of a woman, were also found on the ground outside near the passenger terminal
building, but their cause of death was unclear, though some observers speculated they may have
died during a stampede.[44][49] Seven people were eventually confirmed to have died during the airport
evacuation—including two armed men shot after approaching US Marines, according to the US
Department of Defense. The Marines were not injured and the men were not identified. [44][50]
At approximately 8:30 PM local time, reports emerged that the US embassy was taking fire. The
embassy issued a declaration instructing US citizens in the area to shelter in place. [51] Secretary of
State Antony Blinken announced that the embassy would be relocated to the airport [52] as the US
military had taken over security and air traffic control there.[53] By now, various other nations had
announced plans to evacuate their embassies, including Spain, Germany, the United Kingdom, and
the Netherlands.[54][55] The German government announced that it was sending A400M Atlas aircraft
with a contingent of paratroopers for evacuations, adding it would not seek the required
parliamentary approval for the operation until after the mission was complete. [56] The Italian
government was reported to have transferred its embassy staff as well as the families of 30 Afghan
employees to Kabul airport under Carabinieri guard to prepare for evacuation.[57] India was reported
to have had C-17 transport planes prepared to evacuate Indian diplomatic staff, but had anticipated
that it would take longer for the Taliban to capture Kabul. [58] One group of Indian diplomats were
escorted to the Airport by the Taliban, negotiating the escort after having had their passage out of
the Indian embassy blocked several times by the Taliban. [59] Albania said it had accepted a US
request to serve as a transit hub for evacuees.[60]
A flight by Emirates Airlines to Kabul was diverted, and later returned to Dubai[61] and United Arab
Emirates airline Flydubai announced that it would suspend flights to Kabul on 16 August. [62] By 16
August, most other airlines had also announced suspension of flights to Kabul. The Afghanistan Civil
Aviation Authority announced that it had released Kabul airspace to the military and warned that
"any transit through Kabul airspace will be uncontrolled." [63]