Man Suffers Severe Burns After Power Bank Explosion in Melbourne Airport Lounge

A 50-year-old traveler suffered significant burns after a lithium power bank exploded in his pocket at Melbourne International Airport on Thursday at approximately 11am local time.

The incident occurred in the Qantas business class lounge, where the device suddenly overheated and burst into flames, causing burns to the man's leg and fingers while generating smoke throughout the area.

Quick-thinking lounge staff immediately assisted the victim into a shower before paramedics arrived to provide medical treatment. The injured passenger was subsequently transported to a hospital for further evaluation and care.

As a safety precaution, approximately 150 people were evacuated from the lounge following the explosion. One eyewitness reported to the Age newspaper that they observed "battery acid flying everywhere" during the incident.

After thorough cleaning procedures, the lounge reopened to passengers after a couple of hours.

In response to the incident, Qantas announced it is currently reviewing its policies regarding lithium battery devices to enhance passenger safety.

Film producer Leanne Tonkes, who witnessed the explosion while in the lounge, shared an image of the damaged power bank on the floor through social media. She commended both the staff and fellow passengers for their prompt response during the emergency.

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A post shared by Leanne Tonkes (@leannetonkes)

"Quick thinking from the man who jumped in to help and the staff who got him in the shower and everyone else out of the lounge," she wrote on her Instagram post.

While most airlines currently permit power banks in cabin luggage, there's a growing trend toward restricting their use during flights due to safety concerns.

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority has noted that the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission reported a dramatic 92 percent increase in incidents involving lithium batteries, highlighting the growing safety risk.

In response to these safety concerns, Emirates has implemented a complete ban on power banks aboard its aircraft, while Virgin Australia now requires passengers to keep such devices within arm's reach after a previous incident where a power bank ignited mid-flight.