Tourists flee from Italian international airport as man 'sets fire to check in desk' during hammer rampage
By JAMES CLARK REYNOLDS,
A man has been detained at Milan's Malpensa airport after allegedly setting fire to bins, smashing check-in screens with a hammer and attacking staff.
The suspect, who has not been named, was apprehended by employees at Terminal 1 on Wednesday after reportedly rampaging through the airport with a hammer.
Footage from the airport this morning showed black smoke billowing from inside the terminal as passengers scrambled to flee.
Images showed a suspect being pinned to the ground. Local media reported he had been stopped by staff.
Italian outlet Varese News said an employee intervened after noticing smoke rising through the airport.
The suspect was allegedly 'destroying the screens between desks 12 and 13' when the member of staff dived in.
Witness Sophia Kim, a passenger who was at desk 13 at the time, told The Mirror: 'I turned around only to see the check-in counter on the other side was on fire.'
'It was then I started running for my life with my husband hand in hand,' she added.
'Everyone around me was in panic mode- screaming and running. I thought I was going to die.'
The suspect was identified in Italian media only as a Malian resident of Italy with no criminal record.
Stunned holidaymakers look on towards a fire lit in Terminal 1 of Milan Malpensa airport
Firefighters rushed to the scene to extinguish the blaze on Wednesday morning
Chaotic scenes in Malpensa airport on Wednesday after a man allegedly set fire to the airport
Staff managed to apprehend a suspect and pin them to the ground
File photo shows Milan's Malpensa Airport, Terminal 1, in 2016
The brazen member of staff who initially apprehended the suspect was said to have been injured in the fracas before being turned over to emergency services.
Corriere della Serra contested the claims, writing that no injuries had been reported.
'Along with him, some of those present also intervened to prevent the attacker from attacking the people as well.'
Border police scrambled to help restrain the man while airport security staff worked to put out the fire.
Photos of the aftermath showed thick smoke hanging in the air as bystanders watched on with their hands on their hips.
Firefighters, airport staff and security staff were all pictured at the scene.
The airport continued to operate as usual, Varese reports.
No motive was clear from initial reports. The suspect was reportedly taken to a holding cell by Polaria officers, who will try to establish a motive.
The Daily Mail contacted Milan Malpensa airport for comment.
Milan Airports has not publicly commented on the incident.
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