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Lithium power bank ignites in Melbourne airport lounge, injuring passenger
A man in his 50s suffered burns to his leg and fingers after a lithium power bank in his pocket caught fire in the Qantas business lounge at Melbourne International Airport on Thursday morning. The incident forced the evacuation of approximately 150 people as smoke filled the area.
Emergency response and aftermath
Airport staff acted swiftly, moving the injured man into a shower to contain the flames before paramedics arrived. He was treated at the scene and later transported to a hospital in stable condition, where he was released after treatment. Witnesses reported seeing "battery acid flying everywhere," according to The Age newspaper.
The lounge was temporarily closed for cleaning and reopened about two hours later, a Qantas spokesperson confirmed. Australian film producer Leanne Tonkes, who was present during the incident, shared an image of the charred power bank on Instagram, praising the quick response of staff and bystanders. "Hoping the man who caught fire holding it is ok," she wrote, adding, "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."
Qantas reviews lithium battery policies
In light of the incident, Qantas is reviewing its policies on passengers carrying lithium batteries, including portable power banks. The airline is expected to announce updates soon, though no specific timeline was provided.
The incident follows a growing trend of lithium battery-related fires in aviation. In July, a fire broke out on a Virgin Australia flight from Sydney to Hobart after a power bank ignited in an overhead locker. Virgin Australia has since advised passengers to keep power banks "in sight and within easy reach" during flights, rather than stowed in overhead compartments.
Global airline restrictions on power banks
The Melbourne incident adds to a series of similar events worldwide. In January, a passenger plane in South Korea was destroyed by a fire likely caused by a portable power bank. Several international carriers-including Emirates, Cathay Pacific, China Airlines, Korean Air, and Singapore Airlines-have already implemented bans on the use and charging of power banks during flights.
Many airlines also enforce limits on the number and capacity of rechargeable batteries passengers can carry. For example, some permit only two power banks with a capacity between 100Wh and 160Wh per passenger. The restrictions aim to mitigate the risk of overheating and fires, which can occur if batteries are damaged, overcharged, or exposed to high temperatures.
Safety recommendations for travelers
Industry experts advise passengers to carry power banks in their seat pockets or under the seat in front of them, ensuring they remain easily accessible. Avoiding overhead luggage compartments reduces the risk of fires spreading unnoticed, as was the case in the Virgin Australia and South Korea incidents.
