The threat of a terror attack at Kabul Airport in the Afghan capital is "imminent" and "severe", according to the armed forces minister.
James Heappey said there was "very credible reporting" that an affiliate of the so-called Islamic State in Afghanistan, Isis-K, could carry out an attack in "hours" as people attempt to flee the Taliban-run country.
Over the next 24 hours the UK will run 11 flights out the airport before it switches to evacuating UK troops ahead of the August 31 deadline.
Last night the UK Foreign Office issued a warning to Brits to avoid the airport due to the threat.
James Heappey described the threat to people outside the airport as "lethal".
He told BBC Breakfast: "I can't stress the desperation of the situation enough, the threat is credible, it is imminent, it is lethal.
"And we wouldn't be saying this if we weren't genuinely concerned about offering Islamic State a target."
Heappey also said there could be an "imminent" attack.
"There is now very, very credible reporting of an imminent attack," he added.
"It's an extraordinarily challenging situation both on the ground and as a set of decisions to be taken here in Whitehall because people are desperate, people are fearing for their lives anyway.
"And so I think there is an appetite by many in the queue to take their chances, but the reporting of this threat is very credible indeed and there is a real imminence to it.
"I can only say the threat is severe."
Later on LBC, Heappey revealed the attack could take place in the next couple of hours.
He said: "I was given lines today for what might happen if the attack happened while I was doing this media round."
"I don't think everybody should be surprised by this, Daesh, or Islamic State, are guilty of all sorts of evil.
"But the opportunism of wanting to target a major international humanitarian mission is just utterly deplorable but sadly true to form for an organisation as barbarous as Daesh."
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