🔗 Share this article Qantas Premium Lounge Area Incident: Traveler Suffers Injuries When Portable Charger Explodes in His Pocket A traveler was set on fire after a power bank exploded in his pocket at the premium airport lounge in Melbourne international terminal. The event took place on Thursday morning, when the overheated electronic accessory caught fire, causing burns to his leg and fingers and generating smoke within the premium waiting space. Clearance and Response Roughly 150 people were evacuated from the airport facility for safety reasons. The injured man received first aid from emergency responders at the location before being transported for medical care for additional evaluation. Airport staff worked to clean the lounge and it has since reopened. Carriers Tighten Restrictions on Lithium-ion Batteries Numerous carriers, including Qantas, have enforced stricter regulations regarding lithium-ion batteries, often used in personal electronics, to reduce the risk of fires during flights. In recent months, another airline stated it was reviewing its battery policy after a similar incident on a flight within the country. Annual Gathering Coincides with Lounge Incident The airport incident happened just 24 hours prior to the airline's annual general meeting, where executives met with shareholders. Although previous threats from shareholder associations to oppose the remuneration report due to a recent data breach, the dissent fell short of the required level for a formal reprimand. A formal warning is recorded when more than 25% of shareholder votes are against compensation plans, which could lead to additional scrutiny if repeated. Better Employee Sentiment and Performance During the meeting, shareholders expressed optimism about the airline's progress from past reputational issues. An investor who had previously experienced disagreement with former leadership praised the airline for focusing on employee well-being and passenger satisfaction. At present, the company's stock are valued at approximately $9.50 per share, much improved compared to previous lows. "In the past two years … Qantas has come a long way."