Two screening personnel injured in accidental firing at Varanasi Airport
Varanasi, Aug 16 (TNT) : Two airport screening personnel were injured after a round was accidentally discharged while a licensed firearm was being handled during mandatory security procedures at Varanasi airport on Sunday.
The incident occurred around 9.30 a.m. when a passenger, Kamlesh Kedarnath Rai, scheduled to travel from Varanasi to Mumbai on Air India Express flight IX 1810, declared a licensed 7.62 mm pistol along with 21 live cartridges at the check-in counter as required under the prescribed procedure, airport official said.
The passenger was escorted to the designated screening area for completion of mandatory security formalities. During the handling and inspection of the firearm, a round was accidentally discharged and the projectile ricocheted, injuring two screening personnel, identified as Rohit Raj and Ms Suman Kumari.
Both injured personnel were immediately provided assistance and shifted to New Lakshmi Trauma Center, Varanasi, for medical treatment.
Local police were informed and the passenger was detained for investigation and further action as per law.
The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) is examining the circumstances leading to the incident, including adherence to prescribed procedures for handling and carriage of licensed weapons at airports.
Appropriate action will be taken based on the findings.
The incident was promptly contained and airport operations continued without disruption.
TNT KS
