An Apache helicopter cleared hundreds of people from a runway so a military plane could take-off in Kabul, Afghanistan, today.

Footage shows the military aircraft hovering above the Afghans as they desperately tried to flee the country following its collapse to Taliban militants.

Three stowaways who managed to cling to the U.S. Air Force Boeing C-17 Globemaster III plane died when they fell during its ascent into the sky while five others were killed at the Hamid Karzai International Airport amid frantic scenes on August 16 morning.

Afghan air space has since been closed, with commercial flights from Kabul being cancelled. The Afghanistan Civil Aviation Authority has advised transit aircraft to take longer alternative routes instead.

Taliban forces seized Kabul on August 16, settling into the presidential palace after Afghan President Ashraf Ghani fled the country.

A Taliban spokesman said the war was ‘over’ and that the militants have accomplished their objective or retaking the Middle East country following two decades of western occupation started by former leaders George Bush and Tony Blair.

Mohammad Naeem said: ‘We have reached what we were seeking, which is the freedom of our country and the independence of our people. We will not allow anyone to use our lands to target anyone, and we do not want to harm others.’