Chaos has engulfed Italy’s Malpensa Airport in Milan after a man stormed in armed with a hammer.
Footage shared on Instagram by an Assessoria Leardini employee shows the attack at around 10.30am today in the departure area of Terminal 1.
The man first set fire to a rubbish bin before using his hammer to smash the screens between two check-in desks.
It was alleged he then attempted to strike multiple SEA security personnel at the airport.
But La Stampa reported that the suspect ‘directed his anger only at the airport furnishings,without attacking passengers or staff on duty’.
Black smoke was seen billowing from the bin as passengers screamed for help and scrambled to flee the scene.
Scores of passengers fled Milan Malpensa Airport as the incident unfolded
Italian new outlet Varese said a staff member intervened after noticing the smoke rising through the airport as the suspect was allegedly ‘destroying the screens between desks 12 and 13’.
They reportedly leapt into action to stop the man before passengers also jumped in to help.
Images later showed a suspect pinned to the ground inside the terminal.
The Airport Association for the Lombardi region later confirmed that the man has since been arrested,but police is yet to reveal a motive behind the assault.
The airport was shut temporarily to extinguish the fire (Picture: MXP Airport)
A statement on X added: ‘The situation was quickly brought under control after the arrest of the man who set fire and destroyed some check-in counters.
‘Due to the closure of some areas and evacuation of premises,possible delays and cancellations for departures from the airport.’
Part of Milan Malpensa Airport has been closed as firefighters stormed in to extinguish the growing flames.
Airport staff said the air inside is still ‘unbreathable’ as pictures emerged,showing the terminal filled with dark smoke.
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