Desperate parents in Afghanistan are handing their babies over barbed wire fences to British troops as they wait for evacuation.
Shocking scenes from Kabul show infants being passed through the crowds held overheads before reaching the fence capped with barbed wire, where troops are stationed on the other side.
Here, the babies are held aloft, dangerously close to the wire, as soldiers reach down and pull them over the fence.
Meanwhile, the Taliban waded into the packed crowd to disperse it, firing guns directly into the throngs of people, the Telegraph reports.
Thousands of people who worked for foreign troops over the last 20 years have flooded into the airport since Sunday, seeking evacuation.
They fear they will be targeted by the Taliban, which has taken over Afghanistan in a matter of days, and are desperate to escape.
New Zealand is one of many countries pledging to rescue its nationals and others who assisted war efforts, sending a plane to Kabul's airport on Thursday.
Defence Minister Peeni Henare says due to the developing situation, up to 80 personnel are being deployed - double the number he said would be sent when the mission was announced on Monday.
The mission is expected to take a month. The contingent will include aircrew and maintenance staff, a medical team, operational support staff, logistics personnel, and force protection, among others.
"New Zealand has had a long-standing relationship with the people of Afghanistan, particularly in Bamyan Province," Henare said. "Because of this, we are joining our partners in assisting with the evacuation of those who are in the greatest danger."
The UK and the US are also sending in troops to assist with evacuations.
