Passenger mistakes baggage conveyor belt for travelator
CCTV footage has captured the moment an elderly passenger in Russia mistook the baggage conveyor belt at a check-in desk for a travelator - walking onto it before disappearing into the baggage area.
The incident occured at a state-owned airport in Vladikavkaz, in North Ossetia-Alania, Russia, on January 5.
Video footage captures the airline desk staff talking to another passenger, failing to notice the 74-year-old pensioner approaching the weighing area and climbing onto the conveyor belt.
As she approached the thick rubber curtain separating the check-in area from the baggage area, the woman toppled over onto her back and disappears from view.
The elderly woman mistook the baggage conveyor belt at the busy airport for a travelator that she thought led to her departure gate.
The other passenger at the check-in desk can be seen telling the check-in staff what just happened as the footage ends.
Local media reported that the woman, who chose to remain anonymous, was rescued uninjured and escorted to the correct boarding gate.
The video footage, which has been circulating online, drew in mixed reactions. While some people were amused at the incident, others were concerned about the safety protocols at the airport.
It also raised a few questions on passenger awareness and staff attentiveness at busy airports.
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