Police arrested five persons at Mumbai Airport (BOM) on 16 August after a bag containing chemicals caught fire. Ground staff were about to load the bag aboard an Ethiopian Airlines flight bound for Addis Ababa.
Observers saw smoke coming from the bag, which was in the ramp area in readiness for loading at the time. Mumbai Airport safety and security personnel promptly extinguished the fire. Ground handlers were due to load bag in question aboard Ethiopian Airlines flight ET641, operated by a Boeing 787-8. The incident took place on Friday morning around 10.30am local time.
Five Arrested at Mumbai Airport
Following the ground handling incident, a spokesperson for the Sahar police station issued a statement. Police arrested five people aged between 26 and 46 in connection with the fire.
According to a report by local news source NIDTV, a 31 year old male resident of Nadiyal in West Bengal allegedly carried the bag. Police arrested four other males who were in association with him.
Police are also seeking another individual believed to be in the Congo. The police spokesperson said he was reportedly the intended recipient of the bag.
Investigation revealed that the bag contained 10 kg of inflammable material. Half of the material was in a liquid form. The remaining half was in a solid powder form. The bag’s contents were then sent to a forensic laboratory for further investigation.
Ethiopian Airlines Statement
Ethiopian Airlines issued a confirming statement as follows.
“On August 16 morning, at Mumbai Airport a baggage container carrying baggage checked in for ET641 (Mumbai-Addis Ababa) in the ramp area was observed with fire. The incident occurred at the ramp while the container was being transported from the baggage make-up area to the aircraft.”
“The airport safety, security and fire teams responded immediately and put out the fire with all necessary safety procedures. The affected container and baggage is under investigation by the authorities at Mumbai airport.”
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