An IndiGo flight was evacuated at Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport on Tuesday after a passenger's power bank caught fire [1, 2].
The incident highlights the persistent safety risks associated with lithium-ion batteries in aviation and the critical importance of emergency evacuation protocols.
Flight 6E-108 [1], an A321neo aircraft traveling from Hyderabad to Chandigarh, had already landed and was stationary when the device ignited [2]. Smoke quickly filled the cabin, prompting crew members to initiate an emergency evacuation. Passengers exited the aircraft using the emergency slides to reach the tarmac [3, 4].
Reports regarding injuries vary. One source said that five passengers were injured [3], while another said only one injury occurred during the emergency exit [5]. A third report said that no injuries occurred [6].
There are also conflicting accounts regarding the exact location of the fire. Some reports said the power bank caught fire inside the cabin after landing [3], while others suggested the device ignited on the stand outside the cabin [4].
Airport authorities and airline staff managed the scene as passengers were de-boarded. The aircraft remained grounded for inspection following the event [2, 7].
“Passengers exited the aircraft using the emergency slides to reach the tarmac.”
This event underscores the volatility of portable power banks, which utilize lithium-ion batteries prone to thermal runaway if damaged or defective. While the evacuation was successful, the conflicting reports on injuries and the fire's origin suggest a chaotic scene, reinforcing why aviation authorities maintain strict regulations on battery capacity and placement during flights.
