Overview
- Emergency crews evacuated about 150 people from the Qantas International Business Lounge at Melbourne Airport after a passenger’s power bank ignited around 11 a.m. Thursday.
- Ambulance Victoria treated a man in his 50s for burns to his leg and fingers before transporting him to The Alfred Hospital in stable condition.
- Qantas said the lounge was cleaned and ventilated and later reopened, with firefighters attending the scene as a precaution.
- Witnesses reported screams, heavy smoke and a burning jacket, and staff quickly moved the injured passenger into a shower while clearing the lounge.
- The incident comes as airlines tighten lithium-battery rules, with Emirates banning power bank use onboard and Virgin Australia advising passengers to keep them within reach; Qantas says a policy update is expected in the coming weeks.