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US News

Stunning photo shows over 600 Afghans packed inside US Air Force plane

By
Kenneth Garger
Published Aug. 16, 2021
Updated Aug. 17, 2021, 8:44 a.m. ET

A stunning photo shows over 600 Afghans crammed into a massive US Air Force cargo plane that safely evacuated Kabul’s international airport on Sunday night after the aircraft’s crew decided to let the refugees remain aboard.

Scores of Afghans attempting to flee the war-torn country in the wake of the Taliban takeover rushed the partly open ramp of the C-17 Globemaster III and packed the plane’s roomy hold for a flight to Qatar, according to Defense One, which obtained the jarring photo.

Over 600 people crammed into the hold of a US Air Force cargo plane that was leaving Kabul on August 15, 2021.
Over 600 people crammed into the hold of a US Air Force cargo plane that was leaving Kabul on August 15, 2021. Defense One

In total, about 640 refugees made it out of Kabul, a defense official told the publication, far more people than the crew had intended to transport.

“The crew made the decision to go,” an official told the outlet.

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People trying to board the plane in Kabul as they attempt to flee the country.
People trying to board the plane in Kabul as they attempt to flee the country. Twitter

The massive plane is stationed out of Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, the report said, and belongs to the 436th Air Wing.

The C-17 was the subject of more chaos on Monday as thousands of Afghans were filmed desperately chasing after and clinging to one of them as it rolled down the runway ahead of takeoff.

Afghan residents attempting to flee the country at the Kabul airport on August 16, 2021 amid the Taliban's takeover.
Afghan residents attempting to flee the country at the Kabul airport on August 16, 2021, amid the Taliban’s takeover. Photo by WAKIL KOHSAR/AFP via Getty Images
People desperately clinging to an Air Force cargo plane as it takes off from Kabul on August 16, 2021
People desperately clinging to an Air Force cargo plane as it takes off from Kabul on August 16, 2021

At least two people plunged to their deaths after the aircraft took off, according to tragic footage.

The airport in the capital is the last place in Afghanistan guarded by the US military as evacuations continue after Sunday’s shocking turn of events in which Taliban insurgents toppled the country’s Western-backed government.