Man burned as toilet explodes

A MAN suffered life-threatening burns in Australia after a portable toilet he was using exploded, apparently after he lit a cigarette.

The victim, who was taking part in a joint Australia-United States military exercise at the time, was rushed to hospital with burns to his head, face, arms, chest and airways after the incident at Rockhampton airport.

“There was some sort of explosion in a portaloo. It’s believed the man was lighting a cigarette at the time,” a Department of Community Safety spokeswoman said.

The Australian Defence Force confirmed the explosion happened during the Talisman Sabre joint military exercises, and said the injured man belonged to the Royal Australian Air Force.