Package Explodes at Chicago O’Hare Airport

A baggage handler at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport was transported to a nearby hospital with non-life threatening injuries Tuesday after a minor explosion.

The United Airlines employee was unloading packages when a battery shipped in a container exploded, striking him in his arm and face, according to Chicago Fire spokesman Will Knight and Chicago Police News Affairs.

No criminal activity is suspected and it is believed to have been an accidental discharge.

A United Airlines baggage handler received minor burns while handling 'pelican cases' which contained batteries, Larry Langford with the Chicago Fire Department told CNN. While the investigation is still under way, it is believed that a metal strip may have triggered the batteries inside the case. There is no criminal activity suspected and (it) is being treated as an accident. The Chicago Fire Department is checking other containers.

The explosion occurred after the case was taken off an airplane and fell to the ground near Terminal 1 Concourse C.

The incident has been labeled as a level 1 hazmat situation. This means that a gas, liquid, or solid has spilled, causing minimal-to-moderate risk to the public.

CBS Chicago reports that the owner of the bag has been identified and is currently being interviewed, though no criminal activity is suspected.

The incident caused minor disruptions for arriving United flights, including several gate changes and delays.