British student who went on holiday to Afghanistan days before Taliban seized power flown to Dubai

A British student who travelled to Afghanistan on holiday just days before the Taliban seized control of Kabul, says he has been flown out to Dubai.

Loughborough University student Miles Routledge, 21, was forced into hiding after the extremist group’s swift capture of the country.

Mr Routledge arrived in the war-ravaged country last week after Googling the most dangerous places to visit in the world despite the Taliban's advance.

In his regular updates from the country as the Taliban swept in, he claimed to have met the group’s members, seen dead bodies in the street and shielded from gunfire in a Nato-controlled safe house.

On Tuesday, he was given a place on a list for evacuation from Kabul, and hours later posted a video of himself and dozens of others landing in what he described as a British Army plane.

“The happy ending: landed in Dubai thanks to the brilliant people at the British army. All safe!” he wrote.

The Ministry of Defence has been approached for comment on the claim.

Before escaping the country, he claimed he had found refuge in what he described as a Nato-controlled building in Kabul.

A spokesman for Nato was unable to confirm his claim.

Meanwhile, desperate Afghans have risked their lives as they tried to escape the Taliban.

Seven people were reported to have died in chaotic scenes at the airport on Monday, where hundreds of people attempted to board a US Air Force plane, with several plunging to their death as it took off.

Gunshots were also fired at the scene.

Afghans are fleeing the Taliban's extreme ultraconservative Islamic views, which included severe restrictions on women as well as stonings, amputations and public executions 

CNN reporter Clarissa Ward, who is in Kabul, said people there were "desperately afraid" and, despite Taliban assurances, were trying all avenues to get out of the country.

Frantic Afghans run alongside and cling onto the side of a US military plane as it begins to take off from Kabul

She spoke to one woman who had worked for several international organisations, including US companies, who so afraid for her life that she is hiding.

Mr Routledge said the sound of gunshots was "constant".

“It’s constant at some points. It’s coming from the airport,” Mr Routledge said at the time.

“Right now it’s very close, no more than 100m from our compound,” he added.

Despite the violence, Mr Routledge had said he felt safe in the building.

“Ngl (not going to lie), you get used to it, it’s like this at night.

“I’m just ready to run with a backpack at a moment’s notice,” he said in a WhatsApp message.

“These Nato guys are amazing, they really do make you feel safe and looked after.”

He added: “We’ve got a pool, canteen, gym, clothes machine and even a shop.

“It’s comfortable when we can use that stuff.”

Mr Routledge, a physics student who also works in wealth management, went viral online after posting messages on Facebook, streaming site Twitch and the 4chan discussion board about his trip to the country.

Mr Routledge had previously posted photos from a leisure visit to Chernobyl.

Earlier on in his visit to Afghanistan he had posed for a photo with what he believed was a military machine gun after speaking to soldiers on a trip outside of Kabul.

In a message to followers, he admitted he had “bitten off more than I can chew”, but had known the risks when he travelled.

Loughborough University said in a statement: “We are aware of reports that one of our students is currently in Afghanistan.

“We are in touch with the student and have offered them our support and continue to monitor the situation closely.”

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has been approached for comment.