Passenger Jet Makes Emergency Landing After Power Bank Fire

An IndiGo passenger jet was forced to make an emergency landing on Sunday after a power bank burst into flames, creating panic among those on board. The incident occurred on flight 6E 6115 traveling from Delhi to Chennai.

Footage from the cabin showed chaotic scenes as passengers attempted to extinguish the fire, which originated from a power bank stored in an overhead bin. Screams of "fire!" could be heard as individuals scrambled to retrieve their belongings and combat the blaze. Cabin crew reportedly used fire extinguishers to put out the flames.

The flight was diverted to Hyderabad where it made a safe emergency landing. Passengers were deplaned and boarded another aircraft to continue their journey to Chennai.

IndiGo confirmed the diversion, stating, "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 can cause aggressive fires and release toxic fumes if damaged, a phenomenon known as thermal runaway. Consequently, many airlines have implemented strict rules or bans on these devices to mitigate fire risks.

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) updated its regulations regarding lithium batteries and power banks, effective March 27, 2026. These rules stipulate that power banks must be carried in carry-on baggage, individually protected when not in use, and cannot be recharged or used to charge other devices on board. Passengers are limited to a maximum of two power banks.

This incident follows a similar event last month where a flight from the Netherlands to the Caribbean had to turn back over the Atlantic due to a suspected power bank fire. Awareness regarding the risks associated with power banks on flights has been increasing.