Passenger’s Gun Goes Off During Inspection at Varanasi Airport, Injuring Two Security Staff
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
Two security screeners sustained bullet injuries at Varanasi’s Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport on Sunday morning after a licensed firearm carried by a Mumbai-bound passenger discharged during a routine pre-boarding inspection.
The incident reportedly occurred around 9.30 am when the passenger, hailing from Uttar Pradesh's Azamgarh district, was completing mandatory declaration procedures for his personal gun and ammunition before boarding Air India flight IX-1810 to Mumbai alongside his wife.
Stray Bullet Hits Ground Before Striking Screeners
Airport authorities confirmed that the gun went off inside the facility while staff were cross-checking the firearm against its registration paperwork in the presence of the owner.
The bullet reportedly struck the floor first before ricocheting into two nearby employees of the AAI Cargo Logistics and Allied Services Company Limited (AAICLAS).
One female staff member suffered a gunshot wound to her thigh, while a male colleague sustained injuries to his hand. Both individuals were rushed immediately to the nearby New Laxmi Trauma Centre for medical attention.
Varanasi Airport Director Puneet Gupta stated that both screeners remain in stable condition and are responding well to treatment.
Police Launch Probe into Inspection Protocols
Local police units were immediately dispatched to the terminal premises to secure the area and initiate a formal inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the accidental firing.
Investigators are examining whether safety protocols were breached during the handling of the loaded firearm inside the terminal. The passenger was detained on-site for questioning as law enforcement officials assess whether negligence played a role in the weapon discharging during the verification process.
