Highlights
- A man in his fifties had a power bank in his pocket that exploded, and he was burned at Melbourne Airport.
- About 150 people had to leave the Qantas business lounge due to the thick smoke and the panic that ensued.
- The man got some first aid for the burns on his leg and fingers, was brought to the hospital in a stable condition, and later discharged.
- Within two hours, Qantas had cleaned the lounge, reopened it, and is now looking into its lithium battery policies.
- After several power bank fire incidents this year, airlines all over the world are implementing stricter safety regulations.
A man in his fifties suffered burns when a power bank that was in his pocket exploded in flame at Melbourne International Airport. The incident, which took place in the Qantas business lounge, disrupted the morning with thick smoke and panic among the guests. As the emergency procedure was initiated rapidly, approximately 150 people were evacuated by the staff for their safety.
Staff did not hesitate to act, bringing the man to the shower and away from the smoke. Paramedics gave treatment to his leg and fingers that were burned, and later he was taken to the hospital in a stable condition and released. One of the witnesses said battery acid was everywhere, which is a clear indication of how dangerous the batteries releasing their heat can be. Qantas was able to clean the lounge quickly and reopen it within two hours; now in talks about lithium batteries and portable power bank policies.
Airlines Face Pressure to Update Battery Safety Rules
Such incidents have heightened the awareness of airlines regarding the matter of passengers carrying and using power banks, which has led them to take different approaches. Soon, Qantas is going to follow the lead of other airlines by updating its battery regulations, which include limiting the use of power banks Emirates and Singapore Airlines already do. Virgin Australia has recently advised its passengers to have their power banks handy and not in the overhead compartments after a fire incident on a Sydney-Hobart flight. On some airlines, it is only allowed to have two power banks of specific sizes and in-flight charging is generally prohibited.
Several other serious events have happened lately, among them a fire incident caused by a power bank on a South Korean passenger plane earlier this year. These situations are the reasons why airlines all over the world are tightening the safety regulations and warning travellers to take care of rechargeable batteries.
Travel Safety: What Passengers Can Do to Prevent Battery Fires
Passengers should be aware of the fact that it is always a good idea to first check the airline’s policies before travelling. They should also keep power banks in places where they can easily access them, for example, in a seat pocket or a small carry-on under the seat. It is strictly forbidden to put power banks into checked luggage or overhead bins, because it is very difficult and dangerous to access them in case of fire. Only batteries and chargers that are safety-tested should be used, and if it is not absolutely necessary, they should not be charged in places full of people, such as airport lounges.
If a power bank is emitting heat or odour, stop using it immediately. The battery may become a fire hazard if it shows signs of swelling or damage. Simple things such as not overcharging and not storing batteries in places where they can easily catch fire are not only the most important for travel safety but also protection of other passengers from fire risks.
FAQs
Q: What caused the fire at Melbourne Airport?
A:The fire was caused by a power bank in an overheated pocket of a man who subsequently caught fire.
Q: Were there any serious injuries?
A: The man who was burned was treated at the hospital and later discharged.
Q: What actions did staff take to assist?
A: The staff evacuated the lounge and accompanied the man to a shower.
Q: Are power banks still permissible on planes?
A: Charging of power banks is restricted by most airlines, and they also specify the place where they can be kept.
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