Power Bank Catches Fire On IndiGo Flight At Chandigarh Airport, Emergency Evacuation Carried Out
Power Bank Catches Fire On IndiGo Flight At Chandigarh Airport, Emergency Evacuation Carried Out
Cabin filled with smoke after electronic device caught fire; passengers evacuated safely after landing
A major safety scare unfolded aboard an IndiGo flight at Chandigarh Airport on Tuesday after a passenger’s power bank caught fire shortly after landing, forcing an emergency evacuation of the aircraft.
The incident took place on IndiGo flight 6E 108 travelling from Hyderabad to Chandigarh. According to the airline, the aircraft had already landed and was stationary on the ground when the fire was reported.
IndiGo confirmed the development in an official statement, saying, “On 5 May 2026, while IndiGo flight 6E 108 from Hyderabad to Chandigarh was stationary after landing, an incident involving a customer’s personal electronic equipment catching fire was reported.”
Acting immediately, the cabin crew initiated emergency safety procedures and evacuated passengers from the aircraft. Visuals shared on social media showed passengers exiting the plane onto the tarmac using emergency slides.
Passengers onboard said smoke quickly spread through the cabin after the device caught fire, creating panic among travellers. Some reports suggested that a few passengers sustained minor injuries during the evacuation process and were later taken for medical attention.
According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the fire was caused by a power bank kept in the seat pocket by a passenger seated in row 39C. The aviation regulator stated that the cabin crew used two fire extinguishers to control the flames before deploying all six emergency slides for evacuation.
“After landing during taxi into bay at Chandigarh, a Power Bank kept in pouch in seat pocket by a passenger seated on 39C caught fire,” the DGCA said in its statement.
The regulator added that the fire was extinguished promptly and passengers were evacuated safely. While IndiGo stated that all customers were safely moved to the terminal and attended to by airline staff, authorities are continuing to assess the situation and inspect the aircraft.
The airline also confirmed that the aircraft would undergo necessary safety checks before returning to service.
“At IndiGo, the safety of our customers and crew remains our top priority,” the airline said.
The incident has once again drawn attention to the risks associated with lithium-ion batteries and power banks during air travel. Under DGCA rules, power banks are allowed only in carry-on baggage and cannot be packed in checked luggage. In 2026, additional safety guidelines were introduced restricting the use of power banks onboard for charging devices during flights.
Aviation authorities have repeatedly advised passengers to handle electronic devices carefully and report overheating, smoke, or unusual battery behaviour immediately to cabin crew.
The incident at Chandigarh Airport serves as another reminder of how quickly battery-related malfunctions can escalate into serious safety situations inside aircraft cabins.
