'What's happening?': Thick smoke at Changi Airport turns out to be false alarm

Travelers at Changi Airport were briefly alarmed on Oct 22 when thick smoke appeared at one of its terminals.

A five-second clip that has been circulating online, shows thick smoke billowing near the terminal. "Suddenly saw this at Changi Airport in Singapore," the accompanying caption read, sparking speculation about a potential fire.

Posted on Oct 22, the clip by TikTok user @thequeenofpolis had garnered 166,000 views, 2,616 reactions and 127 comments at press time.

However, in response to queries from The New Paper, Changi Airport Group (CAG) confirmed that the smoke was from a hot fire drill.

"It is part of regular training for our Airport Emergency Service officers," said a CAG spokesperson.

A similar incident occurred in 2022, when a video of thick smoke reportedly spotted at Terminal 1 also alarmed travelers and made the rounds on social media.

'Extra wok hey': Netizen

Some netizens playfully suggested that something was cooking, with one commenting, "Just SATs catering cooking Char Kway Teow".

Another said in jest, "No wonder my carrot cake on SQ is so much wok hey."

One user said, "LTA and MRT borrowed the meeting room," poking fun at the flurry caused by the smoke during the fire drill.

"My birthday, we having BBQ," one commented.

Meanwhile, others were quick to point out that it was likely a fire drill, with one netizen commenting on the TikTok post, "Saw in airport terminal, but never heard any announcements," adding that the TikTok user was "worrying too much".