A man suffered burns after an external battery exploded in the Qantas business lounge, causing the evacuation of 150 people.

A serious incident occurred at Melbourne International Airport, where a man in his 50s suffered burns to his leg and fingers due to a lithium external battery that caught fire in his pocket. The overheated battery exploded in the business lounge of Qantas, filling the area with smoke and prompting the evacuation of approximately 150 people. Staff responded quickly, helping the man cool down under a shower until paramedics arrived, who transported him to the hospital in stable condition. The incident was witnessed by bystanders, who mentioned that the battery acid spilled around. Qantas is now reviewing its policy on transporting lithium batteries, advising passengers to keep them within reach during flights to prevent such incidents.