Passenger jet makes emergency landing after power bank bursts into flames

An Indian passenger jet was forced to make an emergency landing on Sunday after a power bank burst into flames, sending the cabin into a panic. 

Footage captured on board the flight shows chaotic scenes as airline passengers scramble to put out the flames. 

The power bank was being stored in luggage that had been placed in an overhead bin. 

Panicked shouting and screams of 'fire!' can be heard as passengers rush to take their belongings from the cabin while others then try to extinguish the flames. 

Cabin crew reportedly then put out the fire with fire extinguishers. 

The IndiGo flight was travelling from Delhi to Chennai when the fire started in the air but the Airbus A321 was diverted to Hyderabad as it made an emergency landing. 

Passengers were then deplaned at Hyderabad before boarding another aircraft to Chennai. 

The airline said in a statement: 'IndiGo flight 6E 6115, operating from Delhi to Chennai on October 11, 2026, was diverted to Hyderabad after smoke was detected from a customer's personal electronic device. 

'The cabin crew responded promptly, and the situation was brought under control. 

'In line with established protocols, the pilots diverted the flight and landed safely at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad.' 

Power banks contain lithium batteries, which if damaged can create aggressive fires and release toxic fumes, which is called thermal runaway. 

Many airlines therefore have begun to introduce strict rules or even outright bans on the portable charging devices to minimise the risk of one catching fire. 

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) introduced changes to rules regarding operator and passenger/crew provisions for lithium cells/batteries and power banks, which came into effect from March 27, 2026. 

The CAA says: 'Power banks must be carried in carry‑on baggage and must be individually protected when not in use.'

Additionally, they must not be recharged on board the aircraft, and should not be used to charge other portable devices on board.

Passengers are allowed a maximum of two power banks per person.

In recent months, awareness has begun to spread over the risks associated with power banks, with warnings being issued to passengers travelling by plane.

The power bank fire in India on Sunday comes after a flight from the Netherlands to the Caribbean was forced to turn back over the Atlantic last month when a power bank allegedly caught fire mid-flight.