A hammer-wielding madman set fire to a check-in desk at one of Italy’s major airports early Wednesday — sending scores of panicked travelers fleeing as thick smoke and flames engulfed the terminal.
The chaotic scene erupted at Milan’s Malpensa airport when the suspect suddenly doused the desk with a flammable liquid and set it ablaze at about 11 a.m. local time, Italian TV station TGLA 7 reported.
Footage shared on social media showed the assailant smashing monitors and nearby information screens as the fire grew.
The maniac, only identified as a 28-year-old born in Mali, was detained after someone struck him on the head with a fire extinguisher and others quickly pinned him to the floor.
Terrified travelers could be seen fleeing the packed terminal as the mayhem unfolded.
It wasn’t immediately clear what sparked the incident.
No injuries were reported, according to the Corriere della Sera newspaper.
The terminal was evacuated as first responders extinguished the blaze, and the Lombardy Airports Association warned of ongoing delays.
“The situation was quickly brought under control after the arrest of the madman who set fire and destroyed some check-in counters,” the association said in a statement on X.
“Due to the closure of some areas and evacuation of premises, possible delays and cancellations for departures from Malpensa T1.”
The suspect, who cops said had no known criminal history, will be charged with aggravated damage.
