Making the best of a bad job: the Duesseldorf Airport fire

摘要

Airport terminal buildings are generally seen as a relatively safe part of the transport experience for air travellers. This has been the case since commercial travelling by air became popular in the 1930s. The most serious exception to this and the greatest loss of life in a port terminal building occurred 20 years ago next month in the German city of Dusseldorf. As is usually the case, several unfortunate components in the event chain led to the death of 17 travellers, despite a massive response from the emergency services.