The usual hum of Milan-Malpensa Airport quickly changed to a sudden surge of fear. Travelers, moments ago planning their journeys, found themselves running for their lives. Flames had unexpectedly burst out near a check-in counter in Terminal 1, throwing the bustling area into immediate disarray. This startling incident took place around 11:00 AM on Wednesday.
Eyewitnesses described a man, seemingly overcome by distress, pouring a flammable liquid onto one of the check-in counters. He then set it alight, causing thick, dark smoke to fill the air. But his destructive actions didn’t stop there. He used a hammer to smash walls and information screens nearby, adding to the growing scene of chaos. Videos shared online captured the shocking moments, showing people fleeing as fire and smoke intensified.
In a remarkable display of courage, several ordinary citizens stepped forward. One individual confronted the man, striking him with a fire extinguisher. This action brought the attacker to the ground. Other brave onlookers quickly moved in to help. They worked together to hold the suspect down and disarm him, taking away the hammer that he had used. Their quick thinking helped prevent further harm.
Airport officials responded swiftly to the emergency. They confirmed that the situation was brought under control very quickly. The man was arrested without further trouble. Italian media identified the suspect as a 28-year-old man from Mali. He is expected to appear in court for a fast hearing today. Despite the dramatic scenes, the airport kept its operations running normally. No flights were delayed or cancelled because of the incident.
Source: BBC