Uploaded September 2021 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago

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Writing by Sam Denby
Research by Sam Denby and Tristan Purdy
Editing by Alexander Williard
Animation by Josh Sherrington
Sound by Graham Haerther
Thumbnail by Simon Buckmaster

References:
[1] bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-asia-58219963?ns_mchannel=social&ns_source=twitter&ns_campaign=bbc_live&ns_linkname=611935efd825f75cc4e28bc2%26%27Kabul%20airport%20under%20fire%27%20-%20US%20embassy%262021-08-15T15%3A55%3A53.917Z&ns_fee=0&pinned_post_locator=urn:asset:25e5f939-3186-47a5-a0a0-32ad03b6b4aa&pinned_post_asset_id=611935efd825f75cc4e28bc2&pinned_post_type=share
[2] bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-asia-58219963?ns_mchannel=social&ns_source=twitter&ns_campaign=bbc_live&ns_linkname=61194b77de5452771131ec4e%26Commercial%20flights%20out%20of%20Kabul%20suspended%262021-08-15T17%3A24%3A36.924Z&ns_fee=0&pinned_post_locator=urn:asset:03317446-1415-4a20-8707-3fcdaa47cbe4&pinned_post_asset_id=61194b77de5452771131ec4e&pinned_post_type=share
[3] twitter.com/Zabehulah_M33/status/1426815375707099136?s=20
[4] twitter.com/Zabehulah_M33/status/1426905752782966786?s=20
[5] twitter.com/MilMonWorld/status/1427025918652977156?s=20
[6] state.gov/joint-statement-from-the-department-of-state-and-department-of-defense-update-on-afghanistan
[7] twitter.com/NicolaCareem/status/1427122975971561475?s=20
[8] twitter.com/Maxar/status/1427287696578392064?s=20
[9] bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-asia-58219963?ns_mchannel=social&ns_source=twitter&ns_campaign=bbc_live&ns_linkname=611a061627b37217d37d5261%26US%20takes%20control%20of%20Kabul%20airport%20to%20evacuate%20staff%20from%20country%262021-08-16T06%3A44%3A51.544Z&ns_fee=0&pinned_post_locator=urn:asset:64cf88b5-cfe1-46c9-9e33-dee403c5819e&pinned_post_asset_id=611a061627b37217d37d5261&pinned_post_type=share
[10] bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-asia-58219963?ns_mchannel=social&ns_source=twitter&ns_campaign=bbc_live&ns_linkname=611a1acc27b37217d37d5283%26Deaths%20reported%20at%20Kabul%20airport%262021-08-16T08%3A29%3A37.467Z&ns_fee=0&pinned_post_locator=urn:asset:d48f6464-902d-495b-b752-db87275ed935&pinned_post_asset_id=611a1acc27b37217d37d5283&pinned_post_type=share

Select footage courtesy Getty and AP; Select imagery courtesy Geolayers; Select music courtesy Epidemic sound