Post by : Rameen Ariff

A people carrier transporting passengers to and from planes experienced a collision at Washington Dulles International Airport on Monday, injuring at least 18 people and causing minimal damage to the terminal, as per authorities.

The incident unfolded around 4:30 p.m. local time (21:30 GMT) when the vehicle—referred to as a mobile lounge—struck a dock while approaching the terminal, according to the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA). The injured individuals, who managed to exit the mobile lounge using stairs, were promptly taken to nearby hospitals for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

The vehicle was in the process of transporting passengers from Concourse D when it collided with the dock at an angle, stated airport spokeswoman Crystal Nosal. She affirmed that airport operations continue without disruption despite the occurrence of the crash.

Authorities have not yet revealed the exact number of passengers on board during the incident.

Serving as one of the major airports for the U.S. capital, Washington Dulles operates a fleet of 19 mobile lounges, each capable of accommodating over 100 passengers. Introduced in 1959, these vehicles have faced increasing scrutiny for their outdated design and inefficiency in current airport operations.

Earlier this week, Trent Morse, a former official from the Trump administration, who was nominated to the MWAA board, labeled these vehicles as "a relic of the past" during a Senate hearing, and critiqued their continued operation as "an embarrassment" for international visitors to Washington.

Records indicate that mobile lounges at Dulles have been linked to at least 16 incidents between 2007 and 2017, including one fatal event.

This incident comes amid ongoing challenges posed by the U.S. government shutdown, which has led to staffing shortages and flight delays at several major airports. The Trump administration has recently mandated that 40 airports, including Dulles, cut air traffic by 10% to cope with limited staffing.

As investigations progress, airport officials have reassured the public that all pertinent safety protocols are being thoroughly evaluated to avert any future accidents involving mobile lounges.

#Global #World