A 35-year-old British tourist was arrested on 16 February 2026 after damaging several self-service check-in kiosks at Hong Kong International Airport. The incident took place at around 6:00 a.m. local time in Terminal 1. The man reportedly began knocking over the machines before slamming them onto the ground. He then used a metal pole, believed to have been taken from a nearby sign or queue barrier, to repeatedly strike the kiosks.
NEW: British man has a meltdown at the Hong Kong airport and starts smashing check-in kiosks, gets arrested for having four Viagra pills.
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) February 16, 2026
The man was identified as a 35-year-old British tourist.
Because he didn't have a prescription for Viagra, the man is facing up to… pic.twitter.com/2d0mhQMtmt
Footage circulating online shows several travellers watching in shock as the events unfolded. Some passengers quickly moved away from the area while others filmed the destruction on their phones. Around 10 self-check-in kiosks were damaged during the rampage. Railings and nearby counters were also affected, leaving part of the terminal visibly disrupted in the early morning hours.
Airport Authority staff and security personnel responded within minutes. An airport spokesperson confirmed that staff warned the man to stop causing further damage before police officers arrived and arrested him. An investigation was immediately launched following the incident. The suspect was later taken into custody at the airport’s bus terminal.
The man had reportedly been in Hong Kong since November 2025 and was due to leave the city on the morning of the incident. However, his departure plans changed after police allegedly discovered four Viagra pills in his backpack. In Hong Kong, Viagra is classified as a “Part 1 poison”. This legal category refers to controlled medicines that require a valid doctor’s prescription.
Possessing such medication without a prescription is considered a criminal offense in Hong Kong. The maximum penalty can reach HK$100,000 (€10,800), and up to two years in prison. The arrest was therefore linked not only to criminal damage but also to suspected possession of a controlled substance. The case highlights how medication rules can vary significantly between countries, something travellers are not always aware of.
Despite the dramatic nature of the incident, airport operations continued without major disruption. Staff quickly secured the damaged area and redirected passengers to other available kiosks or staffed counters. Large international hubs such as Hong Kong International Airport are designed to handle unexpected events without shutting down daily operations.
Self-service kiosks are widely used in airports around the world to reduce waiting times and allow passengers to check in independently. While these machines are generally reliable, they can sometimes cause frustration if a document is not recognized or a booking cannot be found. Even so, serious outbursts like this remain rare, and airports have procedures in place to manage both technical issues and security incidents quickly.
