At least five killed in Kabul airport, amid claims of gunshots: Reports

Multiple news reports on Monday claimed that at least five people were killed in Kabul airport as hundreds of people tried to forcibly enter planes leaving Kabul. News agency Reuters reported that one witness saw the bodies of five people being taken to a vehicle. There were conflicting reports on gunshots being heard in the vicinity, while others claimed the casualties happened during a stampede.

The Kabul international airport, which is closed to all commercial flights, reportedly is the only exit point for people leaving Afghanistan. There has been a rush of people entering the airport, with images showing crowds on the tarmac struggling to clamber into flights.

The Taliban insurgents swept into Afghanistan's capital on Sunday after the government collapsed and president Ghani joined fellow citizens and foreigners to leave the country. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken made a series of calls to his counterparts of US' key allies.

Simultaneously, more than 60 countries led by the US and the European Union issued a joint statement, urging those in positions of power and authority across Afghanistan to bear responsibility and accountability for the protection of human life and property, and for the immediate restoration of security and civil order.

"At present, we are completing a series of steps to secure Hamid Karzai International Airport to enable the safe departure of US and allied personnel from Afghanistan via civilian and military flights," said a joint statement issued by the US Department of State and the Defense Department. "Over the next 48 hours, we will have expanded our security presence to nearly 6,000 troops, with a mission focused solely on facilitating these efforts and will be taking over air traffic control," it said.