Refer China: Foreign Passenger Caught with Lighter in Airport Restricted Area

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Foreign Passenger Caught Bringing Lighter into Airport Restricted Area

On July 22, Suzhou-Sunan Shuofang International Airport released a statement regarding the incident where a foreign passenger brought a lighter into the airport's restricted area. The situation had been previously raised on social media, and the airport addressed it through an official investigation.

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On the evening of July 18, around 9 PM, a passenger noticed a foreign traveler (who was planning to take a flight from Wuxi to Beijing that night) carrying a lighter inside the restricted area. The airport staff immediately confiscated the lighter and educated the foreign passenger on the matter. The flight operated without incident.

Upon reviewing the surveillance footage, it was confirmed that the airport security staff had conducted a thorough and standard inspection of the foreign passenger's personal belongings and person, which included the confiscation of one lighter.

However, it was acknowledged that a second lighter was missed during the screening process. The airport clarified that there was no discrimination in the screening process between domestic and foreign travelers. The staff involved in the oversight have since been reprimanded for their error.

In response to the incident, the airport expressed its commitment to stricter enforcement of safety protocols, with a promise to enhance airport security procedures. They also thanked passengers for their vigilance in ensuring safety.

This incident first gained public attention on July 19 when a netizen posted a video showing the lighter being intercepted by another passenger in the waiting area. The user noticed the foreign passenger with a lighter and reported it to the staff. The lighter was confiscated after the report.

Later, during a live-stream on the evening of July 20, the netizen clarified that he had found the passenger using a lighter in the smoking area, which raised concerns as the person had already passed the security check.

Source: 苏南硕放国际机场有限公司, 极目新闻