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A chaotic moment erupted at Hong Kong International Airport’s Terminal 1 on Monday when a man was observed toppling check-in kiosks and attempting to destroy them with a metal pole.
Video footage capturing the incident quickly spread online, showing the individual, dressed in a black jumper, blue jeans, and carrying a cross-body bag, confidently approaching a series of automated check-in kiosks in the departures area.
Without delay, he aggressively started knocking the machines down one after another.
The man, identified as 35 years old, reportedly had been trying to purchase a plane ticket prior to his outburst at the airport.
The kiosks fell rapidly, creating a loud crash as they hit the terminal floor.
Not satisfied with knocking them down, the man then grabbed a nearby metal stanchion — one of the poles used to guide passengers in queue lines — and used it to smash the machines repeatedly.
Stunned travelers and airport staff were seen watching with no one intervening.
The rampage reportedly resulted in damage to around 10 kiosks, as well as metal barriers, nearby counters and even a glass panel.
Viral footage shows the man using a metal stanchion to smash fallen check-in machines as travelers watched. (ViralPress)
The South China Morning Post reported that the man was later identified as a 35-year-old British tourist who had been trying to buy a plane ticket before the violent episode began.
The exact trigger for his outburst was unclear.
Airport authority personnel and airport security responded by rushing to the scene and warning him to stop further vandalism.
Officers then arrested the traveler and launched an investigation into his airport meltdown, according to Viral Press.
Inbound passengers walk through the arrivals hall at Hong Kong International Airport. (Li Zhihua/China News Service via Getty Images)
When the man was detained, officers reportedly found that he was carrying four Viagra pills without a prescription.
“Airport Authority personnel and airport security immediately arrived at the scene, warned the man to stop further vandalism, and called the police. Officers then arrested him and are continuing their investigation,” an Airport Authority spokesperson said, according to the Telegraph.