African Hammer Attacker Sets Airport Check-in Desk on Fire While Passengers Flee Milan Airport
Remix, August 20, 2025
Passengers in Italy’s Malepensa Airport were seen fleeing Terminal 1 after a man armed with a hammer smashed check-in screens and set a fire near the check-in desk, with dramatic footage from the incident going viral on social media.
In the video, flames can be seen engulfing the check-in area, with passengers running from the scene at around 10:30 a.m.
🇮🇹🔴 BREAKING: This morning, an African first smashed check-in monitors with a hammer and then set fire to trash cans in Terminal 1 in the Italian airport of Malpensa in Milan.
In the video, the suspect is tackled by security staff. pic.twitter.com/vTJln9Zfzw
— Remix News & Views (@RMXnews) August 20, 2025
The suspect tried to strike SEA security personnel before security officials and police restrained the man, according to reports.
The video shows the man being restrained by a group of security officers.
Reports indicate he is a citizen of the African country of Mali who has been granted subsidiary international protection since 2017. The man is a legal resident of Milan and has no criminal record, according to Italian outlet Il Giornale.
Photos posted after the incident showed damage to the terminal. The terminal was shutdown due to the fire.
Italian news outlet Varese News reported that an SEA employee suffered some injuries and was treated by medical services after arresting the man.
A spokesperson for the Lombardy Airport Association stated that the situation “quickly brought under control.” The person added that, “due to the closure of some areas and evacuation of premises, possible delays and cancellations for departures from the airport.”
There is currently no information about the motive behind the attack. The migrant has been charged with property damage and assault.
