The fire broke out at 5pm, and incoming passengers first noticed it was when smoke started to billow from the elevator which takes passengers from the passport level to the luggage reclaim level.

It was later said, however, that the smoke could have been coming from a shaft, although subsequent reports said the fire had occurred in one of MIA’s offices.

Chaos ensued since there were at least two planeloads of passengers awaiting their luggage. No announcement was made and this made the tourists complain they should have been given some guidance.

The luggage conveyor belt was then stopped and the trailers containing the luggage were brought near the opening, and each passenger was then allowed in to reclaim his or her luggage - not the most auspicious start to their holidays.

No fire was seen at any time and the smoke was at the annoying level, rather than at the choking level. The firemen soon made the whole situation safe once again. No announcement either by MIA or by the Civil Protection Department was published by the time we went to print.