CHAOS AT MILAN MALPENSA AIRPORT: MAN SETS FIRE TO CHECK-IN DESKS AND CAUSES DAMAGE WITH HAMMER
In a shocking turn of events, a major Italian airport was plunged into chaos as a man reportedly went on a destructive rampage at Milan Malpensa Airport on Wednesday. Terminal 1 was thrown into disarray as the individual set fire to check-in desks and caused damage with a hammer, leading to partial evacuation of the area.
The Lombardy Airports Association described the perpetrator as a “lunatic” who ignited the check-in area, prompting swift action to bring the situation under control. The man responsible for setting fire to and destroying multiple check-in counters has since been apprehended and is set to face a fast-track hearing tomorrow.
According to reports, the suspect, identified as a 28-year-old man from Mali, unleashed chaos around 11 am by dousing check-in counters with a flammable liquid before setting them ablaze. He also wielded a hammer, causing further damage to nearby walls and information screens, as recounted by the Corriere della Sera newspaper.
Italian border force officers intervened to subdue the assailant, while airport firefighters worked tirelessly to extinguish the flames, as detailed by Varese News. A video circulating on social media captured the frantic scene as passengers scrambled to safety amidst billowing black smoke. In a daring act, a bystander confronted the suspect and struck him with a fire extinguisher, leading to his apprehension with the assistance of others.
Photos shared by the Lombardy Airports Association depict the aftermath of the chaos, with evacuated passengers gathering outside the terminal amidst the lingering smoke. Despite the disruption, airport operations continued relatively unimpeded, ensuring minimal impact on air traffic.
This incident comes on the heels of a recent tragedy at Milan Bergamo Airport, where flights were delayed following the unfortunate death of a man who was tragically sucked into a plane engine. The series of unsettling events underscore the unpredictability and challenges faced within the aviation industry.
