Panic at Chandigarh Airport: IndiGo Flight Evacuated After Passenger’s Power Bank Catches Fire

An IndiGo flight was evacuated on Tuesday after smoke filled the cabin shortly after landing at Chandigarh International Airport, following a fire triggered by a passenger’s power bank.

The flight, operating from Hyderabad to Chandigarh, was carrying 198 passengers and six crew members. The incident occurred around 3:29 pm while the aircraft was taxiing to the bay, when a passenger alerted the crew to smoke coming from a power bank that had reportedly caught fire due to an internal malfunction.

Cabin crew responded immediately, using fire extinguishers to douse the flames. However, smoke spread through the cabin, prompting the activation of emergency protocols. Passengers were evacuated using inflatable slides after emergency exits were opened.

One passenger, a woman, sustained an ankle injury during the evacuation. A fire tender from the Indian Air Force was dispatched to the spot, though the situation had already been brought under control by the time it arrived.

In a statement, IndiGo confirmed that the incident involved a passenger’s personal electronic device catching fire after the aircraft had come to a halt. All passengers were safely escorted to the terminal and are being assisted by airline staff.

The airline added that the aircraft will undergo thorough inspection before being cleared for further operations. Sources in the Directorate General of Civil Aviation said the power bank was inside a pouch placed in the seat pocket when it ignited. Cabin crew reportedly used multiple fire extinguishers and deployed all six emergency slides to ensure a swift evacuation.