Arson Chaos at Milan Malpensa Airport: Check-in Area Evacuated, Passengers Panic

A terrifying incident unfolded this morning at Milan Malpensa Airport, leaving passengers in shock. At Terminal 1, a 28-year-old Malian man set fire to a rubbish bin and attempted to smash the partitions between two check-in counters with a hammer. The suspect had neither a boarding pass nor a passport, and his motives remain unclear.

Eyewitnesses reported thick smoke and flames filling the terminal as panicked passengers fled. Passenger Sophia Kim recounted her ordeal: “The check-in counter was in flames. I ran hand in hand with my husband to save our lives. Everyone was screaming and running in panic. I thought I was going to die.”

The suspect used a flammable liquid to ignite the fire, with flames reaching up to 1.8 metres and threatening the check-in screens. Airport staff and border police intervened, restraining the attacker and ensuring passenger safety. During the intervention, one staff member sustained minor injuries.

Firefighters arrived quickly and brought the fire under control. Authorities confirmed that the terminal was evacuated for safety reasons, but air traffic was not significantly disrupted. The suspect was arrested and is scheduled to appear in court tomorrow for a fast-track trial.

While airport operations soon resumed, passengers faced long queues at security checks outside the terminal. Officials warned of potential delays and cancellations.