IndiGo Flight Makes Emergency Landing in India After Power Bank Fire

An IndiGo passenger flight in India was forced to make an emergency landing after a power bank caught fire in the overhead luggage compartment. The aircraft, carrying over 180 passengers, was traveling from New Delhi to Chennai when the incident occurred.

Emergency Landing in Hyderabad

The Airbus A321 took off from Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi and was en route to Chennai. Passengers noticed smoke and flames emerging from an overhead bin, prompting immediate panic and frantic efforts by travelers to suppress the fire using pieces of cloth and bags. Crew members quickly intervened with onboard fire extinguishers, and the pilots decided to divert the flight to Hyderabad, where it landed safely.

Lithium-Ion Battery Hazards

This incident highlights the ongoing safety concerns regarding lithium-ion batteries on aircraft. Power banks can suffer from thermal runaway, a process where overheating leads to chemical reactions, generating additional heat, toxic smoke, and potential re-ignition. Indian aviation authorities previously banned power bank use for charging devices during flights and restricted their storage in overhead compartments, mirroring regulations implemented in countries like Israel.

The crew acted swiftly and professionally to manage the situation, and no injuries were reported among the passengers or crew members.

IndiGo has faced similar incidents in the past, including a May fire on a flight from Hyderabad to Chandigarh and an October 2025 incident before takeoff from Delhi, reinforcing strict guidelines on portable electronic devices.