Air Seoul flight evacuated after power bank fire in passenger baggage

The fire was detected in the cargo hold of the Air Seoul flight as ground crews performed final preparations before takeoff. Emergency responders quickly responded to the incident, and all occupants were evacuated from the aircraft without reported injuries. The airport's fire services extinguished the blaze, which is believed to have originated from a lithium-ion power bank stored in a passenger's checked luggage.

Investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing, though lithium-ion batteries have been identified as the likely culprit. Such incidents have become increasingly common in aviation, as passengers often pack portable charging devices in their checked and carry-on baggage for convenience during travel.

Air Seoul, a budget carrier based in South Korea, arranged alternative transportation for the affected passengers to complete their journey to Da Nang. Incheon International Airport, one of Asia's busiest aviation hubs, resumed normal operations following the incident.

The incident highlights ongoing concerns within the aviation industry regarding the safe transport of lithium-ion batteries. Airlines and aviation authorities have implemented stricter guidelines regarding the packing and declaration of such devices, though enforcement remains inconsistent across carriers and regions.