A passenger suffered burns and sparked a mass evacuation at Melbourne Airport’s Qantas business lounge on Thursday after a power bank exploded in his pocket. The explosion occurred around 11:00 a.m., igniting the man’s jacket and sending travelers fleeing from the area. Witnesses reported hearing screams as battery acid sprayed across the lounge, creating a chaotic scene.
Airport staff quickly intervened, rushing the man, who is in his 50s, into a shower to extinguish the flames while simultaneously evacuating approximately 150 other people from the lounge. The man sustained burns to his leg and fingers. One traveler shared their concern on social media, stating, “His jacket caught on fire. They evacuated us because the smoke and smell was so strong, but I really just hope the guy is okay.” The post included a photo of the damaged power bank.
Leanne Tonkes, a film producer who witnessed the incident, praised the swift actions of those involved. She took to Instagram to commend the quick thinking of the staff and bystanders who jumped in to assist. “Quick thinking from the man who jumped in to help and the staff who got him in the shower and everyone else out of the lounge,” Tonkes wrote.
Paramedics transported the victim to The Alfred Hospital, where he was reported to be in stable condition after receiving treatment on-site. The incident has prompted a review of lithium battery restrictions by Qantas. Similar actions have been taken by other airlines in response to recent power bank-related incidents. For instance, Virgin Australia implemented new measures after a power bank fire erupted in an overhead compartment during a flight from Sydney to Hobart in July.
Airlines worldwide are under increasing pressure to address the risks associated with battery-related fires. In a move to enhance safety, Emirates recently banned the use of power banks on its fleet of 266 aircraft, restricting passengers to one device each. Additionally, South Korea enacted nationwide restrictions in March following a January incident that resulted in injuries to 27 people aboard an Air Busan flight.
The International Air Transport Association has highlighted a critical issue, noting that nearly half of all passengers mistakenly believe that carrying lithium devices in checked luggage poses no risk. This misconception further complicates safety efforts as airlines navigate the challenges posed by these increasingly common incidents.
As of now, inquiries to Melbourne Airport regarding the incident have not received a response. The ongoing discussion about battery safety in aviation underscores the importance of awareness and proactive measures in ensuring passenger safety across the globe.