7 killed in crush near Kabul airport, says British military

​​​​​​​By Karim El-Bar

LONDON (AA) – At least seven people were killed in the chaotic crowds outside the airport in Afghanistan’s capital Kabul, the British military said on Sunday.

“Conditions on the ground remain extremely challenging but we are doing everything we can to manage the situation as safely and securely as possible,” the UK Defense Ministry said in a statement.

“Our sincere thoughts are with the families of the seven Afghan civilians who have sadly died in crowds in Kabul,” the statement added, referring to those who died on Saturday.

James Heappey, minister for the armed forces, said the Taliban were now organizing people into separate queues for US and UK evacuations.

He said this was “making a big difference and allowing us to process people much more quickly.”

“Today the queue is flowing better,” Heappey told British broadcaster Sky News.

“The marshalling the Taliban are doing is making a big difference, so if people are instructed to come forward, we encourage them to do so because we are getting people through.”

At least 20 people have now been killed during the rush of those trying to flee Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover, according to Sky News.