Milan's Malpensa Airport became the scene of chaos on Tuesday when a man set fire to a check-in desk in Terminal 1, prompting an emergency evacuation. Eyewitness accounts and video footage highlight the frantic atmosphere as passengers fled from the area enveloped in smoke. Reports indicate that the incident began around 11:00 AM local time, with eyewitnesses raising alarms about an "agitated man" in the terminal.
The assailant was captured on video using a hammer to strike digital screens next to the fire, before he was subdued by bystanders with a fire extinguisher. The Lombardy Airports Association confirmed that none of the passengers sustained injuries, and the fire was extinguished without causing significant disruption to air traffic.
While the situation was brought under control swiftly by airport firefighters, airport authorities warned travelers of potential delays and cancellations amidst the chaos. Visuals from the scene depicted long queues of waiting passengers outside the terminal as smoke billowed within.
The motive behind the man's actions remains unclear, and investigations are ongoing. Officials have stated that they are looking into the incident to provide further clarity on what incited such aggressive behavior. As Malpensa Airport is one of Italy's busiest travel hubs, the incident has raised questions about safety measures at international airports.
