IndiGo Flight Diverted After Passenger Powerbank Catches Fire

An IndiGo Airlines flight operating between Delhi and Chennai was forced to divert after a powerbank carried by a passenger caught fire during the flight, triggering an emergency response from other travellers onboard.

Passenger video footage from the incident, which has since emerged, captures the tense moments as multiple travellers attempted to contain the blaze by smothering it with bags and other items at hand. The quick actions of those nearby helped prevent the situation from escalating further during the flight.

The airline diverted the aircraft to the nearest suitable airport to ensure passenger safety. No details regarding injuries or the aircraft's final destination have been immediately confirmed.

The incident underscores ongoing concerns about lithium-ion batteries carried in cabin baggage on commercial flights. Aviation authorities in India and globally have issued repeated advisories regarding powerbanks and portable electronic devices, which can pose fire risks at high altitude where cabin pressure and oxygen levels differ significantly from ground conditions.

IndiGo has not yet issued an official statement regarding the incident or the circumstances surrounding the powerbank's ignition.