Delhi-Chennai IndiGo flight diverted after mid-air fire, source likely a power bank
Fire from power bank renews concerns over risks posed by lithium-ion batteries and devices onboard aircraft
A Delhi-Chennai IndiGo flight was diverted to Hyderabad on Sunday (October 11) after a fire broke out in an overhead cabin compartment, reportedly triggered by a malfunctioning power bank. The aircraft made an emergency landing at Hyderabad airport, with all passengers and crew members reported safe.
A video of the incident, widely shared on social media, showed passengers attempting to douse the flames using their bags before cabin crew members brought the fire under control with fire extinguishers.
DGCA safety rules
The incident has renewed concerns over the risks posed by lithium-ion batteries and power banks onboard aircraft. Passengers are prohibited from using power banks to charge electronic devices during flights. Aviation safety guidance also advises passengers to keep power banks within easy reach rather than storing them in overhead compartments, where a fire may be harder to detect and tackle promptly.
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The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued safety guidelines governing the carriage and use of portable electronic devices and lithium batteries onboard aircraft.
Series of mid-air safety scares
Sunday’s incident comes after a similar scare involving an IndiGo flight from Hyderabad to Chandigarh, which had to be evacuated following a fire involving a power bank.
In another incident last month, an IndiGo flight from Goa to Delhi experienced an engine failure shortly after take-off. Air Traffic Control declared a full emergency, and the aircraft made an emergency landing at Manohar International Airport in Goa.
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A Delhi-bound flight also faced a mid-air safety scare in March 2026 following a suspected engine failure. It made a high-priority emergency landing at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, where fire tenders were deployed as a precaution.
In September 2026, a suspected cargo fire prompted an Agartala-Delhi flight to make an emergency landing at Lucknow airport.