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 showed black smoke billowing from inside the terminal as passengers scrambled to flee the scene.
Images later showed a suspect 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 as the suspect was allegedly ‘destroying the screens between desks 12 and 13’.
The employee was said to have been injured in the fracas before being turned over to emergency services.
‘Along with him, some of those present also intervened to prevent the attacker from attacking the people as well.’
Stunned holidaymakers look on towards a fire lit in Terminal 1 of Milan Malpensa airport
Staff managed to apprehend a suspect and pin them to the ground
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.
This news is breaking: more to follow
