A major European airport has been shut down after a fire broke out at a check-in desk.
Part of Milan Malpensa Airport has been closed after a man reportedly set fire to the check-in area at Terminal 1.
Pictures from the airport show huge queues of passengers waiting outside the airport as crews worked to put out the flames that filled the terminal building with smoke.
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Witness ‘started running for my life’ and ‘thought she was going to die’
A witness has told The Mirror of her terror after seeing a mask-clad man setting part of Milan’s Malpensa Airport ablaze this morning.
Sophia Kim said she was checking in around counter 13 for her Cathay Pacific Airlines flight when she saw terror in the eyes of the staff member who was serving her.
She said: “I was checking in at counter 13 or 14 (Cathay Pacific Airlines check-in counter) and then all of a sudden the staff member who was assisting me- her eyes turned big and she covered her mouth in shock.
“It was then I turned around only to see the check in counter on the other side was on fire.
“I heard popping noises and a man wearing a white t-shirt with a blue surgical mask on with a hat was yelling out loud.
“It was then I started running for my life with my husband hand in hand. Everyone around me was in panic mode- screaming and running.
“I thought I was going to die. I am still very shaken up and scared. Please be careful.”
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Airport operations continue despite arson incident
Local media has reported that airport operations have been unaffected in the wake of the arsonist’s rampage.
Varese News reported that the emergency services quickly secured the scene and the fire is now under control.
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Hero airport employee suffered injuries after intervening
Officers from Italy’s border police force immediately intervened and managed to restrain the arsonist.
Before firefighters could arrive, other airport staff worked to put out the fire.
During the confrontation, the employee reportedly suffered some injuries and was handed over to the emergency services. The extent of the injuries is currently unknown.
What happened?
Initial reports from Italian media say the suspect was armed with a hammer when he went on a rampage at Milan’s Malpensa Airport this morning.
He first set fire to a rubbish bin before taking the hammer and trying to destroy the screens between two check-in desks.
Reports say a number of passengers and an airport employee intervened and stopped him from attacking people.
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Arsonist reportedly tried to attack travellers
Passengers watched on in horror as a man set fire to a check-in desk at Milan’s Malpensa Airport this morning.
An airport employee reportedly raised the alarm after noticing smoke rising. The employee reportedly leapt into action to stop him as he was trying to destroy the screens between check-in desks 12 and 13.
Others are said to have tried to intervene and managed to prevent him from attacking other people.
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Images show firefighters in check in area putting out the blaze
Images have emerged showing firefighters working in the check-in area of Milan airport after someone reportedly started a blaze earlier this morning.
The pictures show a large hose pipe snaking through Terminal One as firefighters work to bring the fire under control.
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