Chaos Erupts After Power Bank Catches Fire Mid-Air On China–Seoul Flight | Video

A power bank caught fire mid-air on a flight from Hangzhou to Seoul, creating a panic among passengers and filling the cabin with smoke. The incident happened aboard a China-based Airbus A321 flying at an altitude of around 10 kilometres.

The fire is believed to have started in an overhead luggage compartment, where the device was stored. As smoke began to spread, flight attendants quickly rushed to the scene, grabbing fire extinguishers and working together to put out the flames.

The pilots immediately contacted air traffic control and requested an emergency landing at Shanghai Pudong Airport, but the crew managed to bring the situation under control before the aircraft touched down. All passengers and crew were reported safe.

A video of the incident

has since gone viral online, showing flames suddenly bursting from an overhead compartment inside the aircraft. The clip captures moments of chaos as smoke fills the cabin, with startled passengers seen backing away in panic while crew members rush to control the fire.

Incidents like this highlight the continuing safety risks of portable electronic devices on planes. Aviation authorities already require passengers to carry power banks in their hand luggage, where the crew can access them quickly in case of fire.

🔥Power bank bursts into flames mid-flight

A power bank caught fire mid-air on a China-based Airbus A321 flying from Hangzhou to Seoul. The blaze started in an overhead bin at an altitude of 10 km, quickly filling the cabin with smoke.

The crew requested an emergency landing in… pic.twitter.com/11anLdvlyr

— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) October 18, 2025

Emirates Bans Use of Power Banks During Flights Amid Growing Safety Concerns

Recently, Emirates announced a new in-flight safety policy that prohibits the use or charging of power banks on board, effective October 1, 2025. The airline said the decision comes in response to the rising number of battery-related incidents in aviation.

Under the revised policy, passengers are allowed to carry only one power bank with a capacity of less than 100 watt-hours (Wh), and it must be packed in cabin luggage. However, the device must remain switched off throughout the flight.

“From 1 October, using or charging a power bank on board Emirates flights will no longer be permitted. Customers can still carry one power bank on board and it must be in cabin baggage. Power banks are not permitted in checked-in baggage,” Emirates said in a statement.

The airline clarified that power banks cannot be used to charge personal devices while on board, nor can passengers recharge the power banks themselves during the flight. “The use of power banks has grown significantly in recent years, leading to more battery-related incidents in aviation. This measure aims to reduce such risks,” the statement added.

Power banks typically contain lithium-ion or lithium-polymer batteries, which can pose a fire hazard if damaged, overheated, or mishandled. Emirates said the increasing dependence on portable chargers has made it necessary to strengthen onboard safety regulations.