St. Petersburg, June 14 — Avia.pro. A serious sanitary and epidemiological safety incident was recorded at the Northwestern Federal District's largest aviation hub, where a food service establishment ignored customer service regulations.

According to eyewitnesses reported to journalists from the website "Beware, News," the incident occurred at the Shokoladnitsa coffee shop around 4:00 a.m. Passengers on a flight to Hurghada, which had been on hold for over 11 hours, attempted to redeem their airline-issued meal vouchers. However, while the food was being prepared, a disinfection worker entered the kitchen and began spraying the premises with insecticide.

Customers reported that a pungent, chemical-like odor immediately permeated the dining room, prompting some to demand immediate cancellations and refunds. The establishment's management initially asked customers to wait, not considering the potential for critical risks associated with spraying toxic substances near open food items.

In an official statement, Pulkovo Airport's press service announced the launch of an internal investigation into the tenant. Airport representatives emphasized that scheduled sanitization procedures are mandatory for large complexes, but that food service establishments are required to completely suspend commercial operations during these procedures.