Passengers rushed to extinguish flames after a power bank caught fire mid-flight, prompting panic in the cabin. The crew eventually put out the blaze before the aircraft was diverted.
An IndiGo flight travelling from Delhi to Chennai was diverted to Hyderabad after a power bank reportedly caught fire inside an overhead luggage compartment, triggering panic among passengers.
A video recorded by a passenger shows flames and an orange glow spreading through the compartment as travellers attempt to contain the fire using their bags. Several passengers can be seen reaching towards the burning area while the flames continue to spread.
According to reports, the cabin crew eventually extinguished the fire using onboard fire extinguishers. The aircraft then diverted to Hyderabad, where it landed safely. All passengers and crew members were reported safe, with no injuries reported.
Passenger Video Captures Fire Inside Overhead Compartment
The footage shows passengers standing in the aisle and attempting to tackle the flames above their seats. The incident reportedly began when a power bank caught fire inside the overhead luggage bin.
The crew brought the blaze under control before the aircraft diverted to Hyderabad as a precaution.
The incident has renewed concerns about the risks associated with lithium-ion batteries carried aboard commercial aircraft.
Why Power Banks Can Catch Fire
Power banks typically use lithium-ion batteries, which can overheat if damaged, defective, or affected by an internal electrical fault.
In rare cases, a battery can undergo a process known as thermal runaway, in which rising temperatures trigger further heat generation. This can cause the battery to release smoke, flammable gases or flames.
Such incidents pose particular challenges aboard aircraft because fires can develop quickly in confined spaces.
Aviation safety rules generally require passengers to carry power banks in cabin baggage rather than checked luggage. This allows the cabin crew to respond if a battery overheats or catches fire.
Passengers should alert the crew immediately if a power bank becomes unusually hot, emits smoke, or shows signs of fire.
Similar Power Bank Fires Reported on Flights
The IndiGo incident follows other cases of portable battery fires aboard commercial aircraft.
In March 2025, a Hong Kong Airlines flight travelling from Hangzhou to Hong Kong diverted to Fuzhou after a power bank caught fire inside an overhead luggage compartment. The aircraft landed safely.
In July 2025, a Virgin Australia flight also experienced a fire involving a passenger’s power bank in an overhead locker. The cabin crew extinguished the blaze before the aircraft landed safely in Hobart.
These incidents highlight the risks of portable batteries and the importance of responding quickly when smoke or flames appear inside an aircraft.
Although lithium-ion battery fires remain uncommon relative to the number of electronic devices carried on flights, damaged or defective batteries can pose a serious safety risk.
Flames erupted from an overhead luggage compartment aboard an IndiGo flight from Delhi to Chennai after a power bank reportedly caught fire.
Source: NDTV
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