An emergency evacuation was triggered at Chandigarh Airport on Tuesday after a passenger’s power bank caught fire onboard an IndiGo flight arriving from Hyderabad.
According to officials, the incident occurred
after the aircraft had landed and was stationary on the tarmac. IndiGo, in a statement, said the fire involved a customer’s personal electronic device.
“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 relevant authorities were informed. All customers were safely moved to the terminal and are being attended to. The aircraft will undergo necessary checks before resuming operations. Safety of our customers and crew remains our top priority,” the airline added.
Videos shared by fellow passengers on social media platform X showed travellers evacuating onto the tarmac as smoke filled the cabin.
Passengers alleged that several people suffered minor injuries due to smoke inhalation, with around five individuals taken to hospital for medical evaluation.
Are Power Banks Allowed On Flights?
The incident has once again raised questions about the safety rules governing power banks during air travel.
As per updated guidelines issued in 2026 by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), power banks are permitted only in carry-on baggage and are strictly prohibited in checked luggage.
The aviation regulator has also banned the use of power banks onboard aircraft, meaning passengers are not allowed to use them to charge mobile phones or other electronic devices during the flight.
In addition, DGCA rules specify that power banks and spare lithium batteries must not be stored in overhead compartments.
Aviation experts say fires originating from lithium batteries are difficult to detect and control when placed away from immediate access, increasing the risk to passengers and crew.
Airlines routinely advise passengers to keep power banks with them at all times during the flight and immediately alert cabin crew if the device overheats, emits smoke, or shows signs of malfunction.
The Directorate has repeatedly warned that lithium battery fires can escalate rapidly, making strict adherence to onboard safety regulations critical for preventing serious incidents.
