KUWAIT, Aug 17: A fire swept through Kuwait International Airport on Saturday but there were no casualties, airport officials said.

The Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) quoted a civil defence official as saying the fire, which broke out around 5.30pm (8.30pm PST), had been brought under control.

“There were no injuries among passengers or employees at the airport,” the official said, adding the airport had been evacuated.

KUNA said the fire broke out at a gate on the ground floor and spread to other gates.

Witnesses saw smoke rising from the building. They said the airport had been cordoned off.

KUNA said all flight traffic had been halted at the Gulf Arab state’s only international airport. It did not say what caused the fire and gave no further details.—Reuters