Chandigarh, India: A potentially serious aviation incident was narrowly avoided at Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport on May 5 after a passenger’s power bank caught fire onboard an IndiGo flight shortly after landing, prompting panic and an emergency evacuation that left six people injured.
The incident involved flight 6E-108 from Hyderabad to Chandigarh, which had already landed and was taxiing toward the bay when the fire broke out inside the cabin.
According to officials, the fire originated from a power bank stored in a seat pocket by a passenger seated in row 39C. The device suddenly ignited, producing smoke and flames that quickly spread inside the aircraft cabin.
“After landing during a taxi into the bay at Chandigarh, a Power Bank kept in a pouch in the seat pocket by a passenger seated on 39C caught fire,” officials said.
Passengers onboard reported a sudden build-up of smoke, triggering panic.
“There was smoke in the cabin and people began panicking,” a passenger said. The cabin crew responded immediately, using onboard fire extinguishers to contain the blaze.
“Cabin Crew used two fire extinguisher bottles to extinguish the fire,” officials said. As a precautionary measure, the crew initiated a full emergency evacuation, deploying all six slides.
The aircraft was carrying around 198 passengers and six crew members, all of whom were evacuated safely.
However, six passengers sustained injuries during the evacuation and were taken to hospital. The injuries were reported to be minor and largely occurred while using the evacuation slides.
“All passengers and crew were safely evacuated,” officials said. Passenger Kapoor said several elderly travellers required medical attention.
Ajay Verma, CEO of Chandigarh International Airport, said, “Emergency response teams acted immediately after the incident was reported, and all necessary protocols were followed to ensure passenger safety,” said.
He added that airport authorities worked in coordination with airline staff and emergency services to manage the situation efficiently.
Passengers described chaotic scenes during the evacuation and raised concerns over safety measures onboard.
“Had this happened mid-air, it could have been much worse,” a passenger said.
Some travellers also questioned the screening of electronic devices, particularly power banks, before boarding.
Passengers alleged that airline staff failed to properly regulate the use and monitoring of power banks onboard, raising concerns about enforcement of safety norms. Some travellers questioned whether stricter checks or clearer instructions could have prevented the incident, pointing out that portable electronic devices, particularly lithium-ion batteries, pose known fire risks if not handled correctly. They urged airlines to reinforce guidelines and ensure better awareness among passengers regarding the safe storage and use of such devices during flights
In its official statement, IndiGo confirmed the incident and reiterated its commitment to safety. “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,” the airline said.
“In the interest of safety, an immediate evacuation was carried out and all the relevant authorities were immediately informed. All customers have been safely moved to the terminal and are being attended to by the team to ensure their well-being. The aircraft will undergo necessary checks before resuming operations. At IndiGo, the safety of our customers and crew remains our top priority,” the airline added.
Authorities have initiated an investigation to determine the exact cause of the fire and assess adherence to safety protocols.
The incident shows the risks associated with lithium-ion batteries, particularly power banks, which are known to pose fire hazards under certain conditions.
Importantly, the fire occurred after the aircraft had landed, preventing what could have been a far more dangerous mid-air situation.
Swift action by the cabin crew and airport emergency teams ensured the situation was contained without serious injuries. However, the incident has raised concerns regarding the handling and monitoring of portable electronic devices on flights.
