A LAPTOP computer exploding on an underground train in Madrid sparked panic this morning (Monday) and a number of passengers needed medical treatment.
The Line 9 train was level with the station Príncipe de Vergara at about 09.15 today when a woman's laptop exploded, burning a hole in her handbag and filling the carriage with smoke.
Nine passengers were treated for panic attacks and another three for smoke inhalation.
The train had to be evacuated as a precaution, and was grounded for nearly 45 minutes, causing rail traffic disruption between the stations of Sainz de Baranda and Avenida de América.
A stampede broke out on the train, and Twitter users criticised the 'lack of communication', saying no announcement clarifying what had happened was given and dozens of commuters panicked, believing themselves to be in the midst of a terrorist attack.
Some say they were stuck in the carriage for over half an hour, not knowing what was going on, whilst others got out by themselves and walked along the track to the station.
The passengers themselves were said to have stopped the train by pulling the emergency cord.
Once it had stopped, the driver got out of the engine and went straight to the affected carriage, telling passengers to open the windows.
After about 20 or 30 minutes, the train started up again and continued into the station where all travellers were ordered to alight.
The line was back up and running again by around 10.00.
A full inspection reveals that the woman's laptop had 'spontaneously combusted', or the lithium battery had exploded, and that there was nothing suspicious or deliberate about the incident.
Photograph by Madrid regional emergency services on Twitter (@EmergenciasMad)
