An IndiGo flight from Delhi to Chennai diverted to Hyderabad on Sunday after a passenger’s power bank reportedly caught fire mid-air. Cabin crew contained the blaze inside an overhead compartment, and the aircraft landed safely without reported injuries.
Flight 6E6115, an Airbus A321, carried around 180 passengers and seven crew members when the incident occurred on October 11.
IndiGo confirmed that smoke came from a customer’s personal electronic device. However, the airline’s statement did not specifically identify the device as a power bank, as several reports did.
Crew contain fire in overhead compartment
Reports said cabin crew used a fire extinguisher to control the flames before the pilots diverted under established safety protocols.
Passenger videos circulating online showed flames inside an overhead bin. Some travellers attempted to smother the fire using bags and pieces of cloth.
Read More: PNS Hangor Fires Its First Cruise Missile, Strikes Target at Sea
The footage captured alarm inside the cabin, with one passenger urging others to remain calm, according to The New Indian Express. The airline said its crew responded promptly and brought the situation under control.
The aircraft subsequently landed at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad. The Indian Express reported that authorities had launched an investigation into the incident.
The available reports did not establish what caused the device to ignite or whether anyone was using it before the fire.
Passengers continue journey on alternate aircraft
FlightAware data cited in reports showed that the aircraft departed Terminal 1 of Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport at about 1:30pm.
Its scheduled arrival in Chennai was 4pm. Instead, the flight touched down in Hyderabad at approximately 3:59pm. All timings were local.
“An alternate aircraft has been arranged to continue the journey to Chennai,” IndiGo said in its statement.
The airline also apologised for the disruption and said it was providing refreshments and timely updates while arranging onward travel. The diversion interrupted the Delhi–Chennai service but allowed the crew to bring passengers safely to an alternative airport.
IndiGo rules prohibit overhead storage of power banks
IndiGo’s published baggage policy permits power banks and spare lithium batteries only in hand baggage. Passengers must keep them within personal reach throughout the flight.
The policy lists storage under the seat, in the seat pocket or on the passenger’s person. It explicitly prohibits placing these devices in overhead compartments or checked baggage.
Read More: PAL Free Rebooking: Dubai, Doha and Riyadh Flight Rules
Lithium-ion batteries can overheat and undergo thermal runaway, a process associated with dangerous heat and fire, according to the US Federal Aviation Administration.
The FAA advises passengers to alert cabin crew immediately if a battery or electronic device overheats, expands, smokes or burns. Its guidance also warns against carrying damaged or recalled batteries that could produce sparks or dangerous heat. These precautions address battery risks generally; investigators have not publicly established the cause of Sunday’s fire.
