The US Air Force confirmed finding human remains in the wheel well of one of its planes that took off from Kabul amid chaotic scenes in the Afghan capital under the control of the Taliban.
Images of people desperately chasing after the departing C-17 plane circulated on social media and media around the world on Monday.
The footage showed people clinging to the side of an Air Force plane as it rolled down the runway.
Other videos appeared to show people falling from the plane as it was rising.
The Air Force, in a statement, said its C-17 plane was surrounded by hundreds of Afghan civilians after landing at Kabul airport.
«Faced with the rapidly deteriorating security situation around the aircraft, the C-17 crew decided to leave the airport as soon as possible,» she added.
The statement added that the Air Force’s Office of Special Investigations is reviewing information on the aircraft and «civilian casualties – to include video documentation and the source of social media posts.»
The airport was plunged into chaos as Afghans tried to flee the country in the wake of the Taliban takeover.
US forces fired shots into the air and all commercial flights were cancelled. Military officials said at least eight people died during the frantic scenes on the tarmac.
Crowds also built embassies outside embassies in Kabul today following rumors that governments were offering asylum.
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The White House said yesterday that the Taliban promised civilians You can travel safely to Kabul Airport As the US military intensified the evacuation of Americans and Afghans fleeing the Islamist group.
However, a timeline for completing the evacuation of Americans, Afghan allies and others with the country’s new rulers has yet to be set.
Additional reporting by AFP