Chandigarh, April 5
An IndiGo flight from Hyderabad to Chandigarh was evacuated on Tuesday after a passenger’s power bank caught fire shortly after landing, prompting a swift emergency response at the airport.
The aircraft had come to a halt and passengers were beginning to disembark when smoke was seen rising from an overhead cabin compartment. Witnesses described the smoke as dense, spreading quickly through the cabin and causing alarm among those onboard.
Initial information indicates the fire was linked to a lithium-ion power bank stored inside a cabin bag, which overheated and ignited. Crew members acted quickly, initiating safety procedures and ordering an evacuation as a precaution.
Emergency slides were deployed, allowing passengers and crew to exit the aircraft rapidly. No serious injuries have been reported.
Some passengers initially believed the smoke could be linked to a technical issue such as the auxiliary power unit, but early indications point to a battery-related incident.
In a statement, IndiGo said the event involved a customer’s personal electronic device catching fire while the aircraft was stationary after landing. The airline added that all passengers were safely escorted to the terminal and attended to by staff.
Authorities, including the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, have been informed and are expected to review the incident.
