Melbourne, Australia: Panic erupted at Melbourne International Airport when a passenger sustained burn injuries after a lithium power bank in his pocket suddenly exploded and caught fire inside the Qantas airline business lounge. The incident has immediately sparked debate over safety protocols regarding portable electronic devices.
According to foreign media, the explosion occurred within the lounge, prompting an urgent evacuation of approximately 150 people as smoke rapidly filled the area. Eyewitnesses reported that the quick-thinking airline staff immediately rushed the affected passenger to the shower room to extinguish the flames before medical personnel administered first aid. The injured person was then transported to the hospital and is reported to be in a stable condition.
Policy Review Announced: Following the serious incident, Qantas immediately announced that it is conducting a thorough review of its current policies concerning the use and carriage of power banks and lithium batteries, with new and stricter guidelines expected to be issued soon.
Crucially, this accident occurs at a time when several international airlines have already banned the use of power banks on board or implemented strict limitations on their capacity and charging during transit. The event serves as a stark reminder of the inherent safety hazards associated with lithium-ion batteries during air travel and the potential risk they pose to passenger safety.
