Passenger jet makes emergency landing after power bank bursts into flames
An IndiGo flight from Delhi to Chennai diverted to Hyderabad on 11 October after smoke came from a passenger’s electronic device, reported to be a power bank that caught fire in luggage in an overhead bin. Cabin crew extinguished the fire and the aircraft landed safely; passengers then boarded another plane to continue to Chennai. The incident highlights the risks lithium battery fires pose in aircraft cabins.
The airline said the crew responded promptly and the pilots followed established safety procedures. The article says the fire involved a lithium battery, which can undergo “thermal runaway” if damaged, producing intense heat and toxic fumes. UK rules introduced in March 2026 require power banks to be in carry-on baggage, individually protected and not recharged or used to charge other devices on board; passengers may carry up to two. The article also notes a separate reported power bank fire that led a Netherlands-to-Caribbean flight to turn back last month.
- An IndiGo flight diverted after smoke came from a passenger’s device.
- Cabin crew put out the fire and the aircraft landed safely.
- UK rules limit passengers to two power banks, carried in hand luggage.
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Power banks are portable devices with lithium batteries used to recharge phones and gadgets. If damaged, these batteries can overheat suddenly in a process called thermal runaway, producing intense heat and toxic fumes that are particularly dangerous in the confined cabin of an aircraft.
Aircraft cabins pose special challenges for lithium battery fires because any blaze at altitude is difficult to contain and evacuate safely. Recent months have seen several incidents involving power bank fires on flights, which has prompted aviation authorities to address how these devices are managed during air travel.
The UK introduced strict new safety rules in March 2026 requiring power banks to be kept in carry-on bags rather than luggage holds, individually protected from damage, and never charged or used on board. Passengers can carry a maximum of two power banks, reflecting international efforts to limit the risks posed by lithium batteries in flight.