Arson attack at Milan Malpensa Terminal 1 prompts evacuation

A man armed with a hammer set fire to a check-in area at Milan Malpensa Airport’s Terminal 1, triggering an evacuation and prompting a rapid response from security teams, firefighters and medical personnel. The incident, which began with a small rubbish-bin blaze and escalated to damage of check-in screens, led to the temporary closure of part of the terminal as smoke filled the departure area. Authorities detained the suspect at the scene, and flights in the affected area faced delays while operations gradually resumed.

Initial reports indicate the attacker entered the check-in zone of Terminal 1 and began the rampage by lighting a bin on fire before turning to the screens between check-in desks 12 and 13. A bystander is described as intervening with a fire extinguisher, and several other passengers and airport staff joined to restrain him. Footage and witness accounts show black smoke billowing through the terminal as travellers and staff scrambled to evacuate. A person assisting the crowd was injured during the confrontation and handed over to emergency services for treatment.

In the immediate aftermath, airport personnel and border police moved quickly to contain the...