Desperate Afghans seek to join escape from Kabul

(FASTNEWS | AFGHANISTAN) – There were scenes of panic at Kabul airport on Monday as desperate residents tried to flee following the Taliban’s seizure of the Afghan capital.

The US army said soldiers shot two armed men, while three people were reported to have died after falling from the underside of a plane they were clinging to shortly after take-off.

The airport was closed earlier for soldiers to try and clear the runways.

US military planes are now landing, including one carrying US marines.

Marines are being flown in to help the evacuation effort. The US and other countries are rushing to remove staff and allies from the country.

A German evacuation plane also landed at Kabul airport on Monday, sources told Reuters news agency.

On Sunday the Taliban declared victory after Afghan President Ashraf Ghani fled abroad and his government collapsed.

The militants’ return to rule brings an end to almost 20 years of a US-led coalition’s presence in the country.

Kabul was the last major city in Afghanistan to fall to a Taliban offensive that began months ago but accelerated in recent days as they gained control of territories, shocking many observers.

The militant group was able to seize control after most foreign troops pulled out.