Passengers aboard an IndiGo flight used their bags to smother flames after a power bank began smoking and caught fire in an overhead compartment. The fire was out of reach, but passengers helped contain it until cabin crew used fire extinguishers.
The incident happened on Sunday, October 11, aboard flight 6E 6115, an Airbus A321–251N traveling from Delhi to Chennai. The pilots diverted to Hyderabad, where the aircraft landed safely. No passengers or crew members were injured.
Video recorded by a passenger shows several people using their bags to try to put out the flames. Cabin crew eventually brought the fire under control with extinguishers, and the pilots followed safety procedures by diverting to Hyderabad.
IndiGo said its crew responded quickly and controlled the situation. The airline arranged another aircraft to take passengers to Chennai, offered refreshments, and explained the next steps.
The fire started in an overhead bin where a passenger had stowed a power bank. Lithium batteries in power banks can overheat and catch fire if they malfunction, and a fire in a bag above the seats may be difficult for passengers to reach. Quick action is important when smoke or flames appear in the cabin.
