Afghanistan: People trying to flee to UK 'shot at, beaten and raped’ at Kabul airport

Chaotic scenes continue to plague Afghanistan in the wake of the Taliban takeover as rescue efforts are stamped up, ITV News Reporter Charanpreet Khaira reports

The UK government is being urged to do more and at a faster rate to bring those fleeing Afghanistan to safety, amid claims people have been "shot at, beaten and raped" as they queue to reach Kabul airport.

The Foreign Office is in a desperate race against time to help those eligible to come to the UK escape Afghanistan - ahead of the much criticsed American withdrawal of troops in ten days.

There have now also been suggestions of potential Islamic State threats at Kabul airport.

Scenes from near Kabul airport have shown chaos in recent days, with queues of cars and people being pushed up against the gates by crowds behind them.

An Afghan girl begs US troops for help - crowds have gathered at the airport all week

Joe Biden has suggested the rescue mission of American citizens must be completed by the scheduled August 31 withdrawal date - putting pressure on the evacuation mission of other countries too.

US troops are currently ensuring flights out of Kabul continue to take off, it's unlikely the airport will be able to continue functioning as it is once they are withdrawn.

“I think we can get it done by then, but we’re going to make that judgment as we go,” the US president said at a press conference after being asked if he could get all Americans out in time.

The US embassy in Afghanistan on Saturday warned people not to go to the site unless instructed to do so "by a US government representative."

On Friday, frightened civilians at Kabul airport disperse as Afghan soldiers shoot into the air

Pentagon officials refused to be drawn on why advice had changed, but an anonymous senior US official said potential Islamic State threats against Americans in Afghanistan had forced the military to develop new ways to get evacuees to the airport in Kabul.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the embassy said it is advising American citizens to avoid travelling to Kabul airport due to "potential security threats".

Throughout this week, footage from around the airport has shown queues of people and cars, with the Taliban checking documents.

In footage, gunshots could be heard outside the airport.

Pressure is mounting on the government to get more people to safety beyond the August 31 deadline - ITV News Political Correspondent David Wood explains

As of Saturday night, the UK has now evacuated 3,821 British and Afghan citizens from the country since Friday 13 August.

The Foreign Office said: "The government’s priority is to continue to do all we can to deliver on our obligations to British nationals, and those Afghans who have helped us, and to get them out as swiftly and safely as we can.

"The evacuation process will run as long as the security situation allows in joint coordination with our close US partners."

Speaking after chairing an emergency government meeting about the Afghanistan situation, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “We went into Afghanistan to support and help protect the United States."

“So when the United States decides emphatically to withdraw in the way that they have, clearly, we’re going to have to manage the consequences.”

Since Sunday more than 2,000 people have been evacuated from Afghanistan, the Foreign Office said.

Labour, however, has called on the foreign secretary to make an "urgent intervention to alleviate the crisis facing UK and Afghan nationals" trying to escape.

Shadow foreign secretary Lisa Nandy wrote to Dominic Raab on Saturday, saying: "My office is in touch with hundreds of people who have been shot at, beaten or turned back trying to reach the airport and British processing centre in Afghanistan."

She added: "MPs have reported cases to the FCDO of people being shot at, beaten, and raped while they wait to be called forward."

Ms Nandy said it was "clear" the British evacuation would not be complete by August 31, calling for Mr Raab to have a plan in place for flights to continue leaving Kabul after that points.

Ms Nandy asked whether Nato allies could put in place a “military policing operation” at the gates of the airport or within the internal processing zone to protect those waiting.

She also called for “safe corridors” to be implemented to allow those outside Kabul who are looking to reach the UK to travel to the capital without fear of interference from the militants.

More than 30 protests were held across the globe on Saturday in support of Afghanistan and against the Taliban, as ITV News Reporter Sam Holder reports

John Healey MP, Labour's Shadow Defence Secretary, said: "Ministers were utterly unprepared for the US troop withdrawal and Taliban take-over.

"Labour fears we could see a tragic repeat at Kabul airport, if the US insist on a strict deadline for withdrawal without Britain's agreement to evacuate safely all the Afghans we've pledged to help."

He called on ministers to show "leadership," adding: "Britain must pursue every option to save Afghans in danger and check Taliban actions."

The UK is among the numerous Western nations scrambling to evacuate citizens.

Romania’s foreign ministry has confirmed that a military aircraft has evacuated 14 Romanian citizens and four Bulgarians from Kabul airport to Islamabad.

Italy, meanwhile, has evacuated nearly 1,000 Afghan citizens out of the Afghanistan capital over the last five days.

Boris Johnson says UK will work with Taliban if necessary

Mr Johnson used conversations with allies on Friday to pursue his own diplomatic push for international partners to take a united front in dealing with the Taliban.

He hinted that the UK could be willing to work with the Taliban insurgency “if necessary” to “find a solution” after 20 years of military engagement.