Power Bank Panic: IndiGo Flight Evacuation Drama Unfolds at Chandigarh

Over 200 passengers were evacuated from an IndiGo flight at Chandigarh airport after a power bank caught fire, filling the cabin with smoke. The incident occurred shortly after landing. The DGCA reported no injuries, although a passenger's wife suffered a twisted ankle during the evacuation process.

Chandigarh witnessed a dramatic evacuation of over 200 passengers from an IndiGo A321 aircraft following a fire caused by a power bank carried by a passenger. The incident took place after the flight, operating as 6E-108 from Hyderabad, landed. Smoke filled the cabin as the power bank, kept in a seat pocket by a passenger in seat 39C, ignited.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirmed the use of two fire extinguishers to extinguish the flames, while all six emergency slides were deployed for evacuation. IndiGo emphasized safety as their priority, reporting an efficient evacuation without injuries, although a passenger's wife suffered a twisted ankle during the rushed descent.

This occurrence reignites past safety warnings from November last year when DGCA advised airlines to prohibit power bank usage on flights due to lithium battery hazards. Passengers described scenes of panic, with emergency gates opening and evacuation slides in action, highlighting the urgent response of the airline's crew to ensure well-being amid an alarming situation.