IndiGo Delhi‑Chennai Flight Makes Emergency Landing After Power‑Bank Fire

A Delhi‑Chennai IndiGo flight made an emergency landing after a passenger’s power bank ignited in the cabin. The fire was spotted by the crew, who acted quickly and extinguished the flames. The cabin crew used a handheld fire extinguisher to smother the fire within minutes. Flight attendants instructed passengers to stay seated and remain calm while the situation was under control. The incident occurred on Oct 11, 2026, while the aircraft was en route. After the blaze was put out, the pilots declared an emergency and diverted the plane to Shamsabad Airport. The aircraft touched down safely without injury to any of the 85 passengers or crew members. Airport authorities announced that a formal investigation will be launched to determine the cause of the power‑bank failure. IndiGo officials confirmed that all passengers were accounted for and that the flight continued after the landing. After landing, safety officials inspected the aircraft before passengers were de‑boarded. IndiGo said it will review its policies on carrying power banks after the incident. This episode adds to a growing list of onboard fire incidents linked to lithium‑ion batteries.

Context

Power banks contain lithium‑ion cells that can overheat and ignite if damaged or improperly used, which is why many airlines restrict their use or require they be turned off during flight.