KOTA KINABALU, Aug 7 — A woman was injured after the sport utility vehicle (SUV) she was driving lost control and crashed into the entrance gate of the Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) departure hall this afternoon.
The incident, which occurred at about 4.20pm, caused panic among airport visitors after the vehicle smashed through the glass entrance doors of the terminal. Shattered glass was scattered across the passenger walkway, while the front section of the SUV suffered severe damage.
Despite the impact, no other injuries were reported involving passengers, airport visitors, or airport staff. The area was immediately monitored following the incident to ensure the safety of members of the public inside the terminal.
Initial reports suggested that the vehicle may have suddenly accelerated after the driver accidentally pressed the accelerator, causing the SUV to move forward uncontrollably towards the terminal entrance. However, the actual cause of the crash is still being investigated by the authorities.
The woman, who sustained minor injuries in the accident, was later taken to a nearby hospital for medical treatment.
Several videos and images of the incident were widely shared on social media, showing a white SUV with heavy damage to its front section and broken glass covering the entrance area of the airport terminal.
The unexpected crash attracted attention from airport visitors, with some seen moving away from the affected area as emergency response measures were carried out.
Kota Kinabalu district police chief Assistant Commissioner Shahrudin Mat Husain confirmed that investigations into the incident are ongoing. Police are looking into all possible factors to determine how the vehicle lost control and entered the airport building.
The authorities are expected to provide further updates once the investigation is completed. Airport operations were not reported to be significantly affected, and efforts were made to ensure the terminal remained safe for passengers.
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of careful vehicle control, especially in busy public areas such as airport entrances where many people gather.
