An IndiGo passenger aircraft travelling from Delhi to Chennai, India, made an emergency landing on Sunday. This was after a passenger’s power bank reportedly caught fire mid-air.
According to The New Indian Express, the incident occurred aboard flight 6E 6115 on October 11, 2026. Smoke and flames emerged from an electronic device inside an overhead luggage compartment.
The incident sparked panic among more than 180 passengers, prompting an emergency response from the cabin crew.
Videos circulating on social media showed flames coming from the overhead compartment. Passengers attempted to contain the fire using clothes and bags.
Crew members subsequently intervened and brought the situation under control using onboard firefighting equipment.
IndiGo confirms emergency landing in Hyderabad
In a statement, the airline confirmed that its pilots diverted the flight to Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad. This was a precautionary measure.
“The cabin crew responded promptly and the situation was brought under control,” IndiGo said.
The airline explained that the diversion followed established aviation safety procedures. This was after smoke was detected from a passenger’s personal electronic device.
The aircraft landed safely at Hyderabad airport, with no injuries reported among passengers or crew members.
IndiGo also confirmed that an alternative aircraft had been arranged to transport affected passengers to Chennai.
“An alternate aircraft has been arranged to continue the journey to Chennai,” the airline stated.
The carrier apologised for the disruption, assuring passengers that refreshments and regular updates would be provided.
Power bank fire raises aviation safety concerns
The incident has renewed concerns about the safety of lithium-ion batteries carried aboard commercial aircraft.
Power banks are generally permitted in cabin baggage but prohibited in checked luggage. This is because their batteries can overheat and potentially ignite.
Airlines maintain strict guidelines concerning the storage and use of such devices to minimise fire risks during flights.
The latest incident follows previous cases involving power banks catching fire aboard commercial aircraft.
Authorities are expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident as aviation operators continue efforts to strengthen passenger safety.
IndiGo maintained that the safety of passengers and crew remained its highest priority.
