IndiGo flight diverted after power bank catches fire in overhead locker

An IndiGo flight carrying hundreds of passengers from New Delhi to Chennai was forced into an emergency diversion after a portable battery ignited in an overhead storage bin, reigniting global aviation safety concerns over lithium-ion power sources.

The aircraft, identified in tracking data as an Airbus A321-251N operating flight 6E 6115, departed from Indira Gandhi International Airport's Terminal 1, as reported by The New Indian Express. Roughly an hour and a half into the journey while cruising at an altitude of 35,000 feet, smoke and flames began to spew from an overhead luggage compartment where a passenger's personal electronic device had been stowed inside a backpack or carry-on bag, according to Adnkronos.

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Power bank explosion causes panic aboard IndiGo flight

Video footage shared widely across social media and broadcast by Indian media outlets captured the dramatic moments inside the cabin. Panicking travellers could be seen shouting, moving personal belongings away from the heat, and frantically attempting to douse the flames using pieces of cloth and bags before cabin crew members intervened with fire extinguishers, as noted by Metro.co.uk. Flight-tracking platforms showed the flight abruptly descending from its cruising altitude down to 3,700 feet before executing an emergency landing at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad.

IndiGo confirmed the sequence of events in a formal statement reported by Travel Tomorrow. IndiGo flight 6E 6115, operating from Delhi to Chennai on October 11, 2026, was diverted to Hyderabad after smoke was detected from a customer’s personal electronic device, the airline stated, adding that the prompt actions of the cabin crew brought the situation under control. Ground teams subsequently arranged an alternative aircraft to transport the passengers onward to their intended destination.

Aviation safety experts point to a chemical process known as thermal runaway as the underlying culprit behind such airborne fires. Giuseppe Capanna, a product safety engineer at Electrical Safety First, explained to Metro.co.uk that power banks contain high concentrations of energy in compact spaces. When damaged, overcharged, overheated, or manufactured to substandard levels, lithium-ion cells can trigger an uncontrolled chemical reaction that generates intense heat, toxic fumes, and volatile self-fuelling fires.

Regulatory frameworks governing lithium batteries have tightened significantly in response to mounting incidents. According to Aviacionline, India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation banned the in-flight use of power banks for charging devices or connecting to seat power ports, while explicitly requiring portable chargers to travel in carry-on luggage rather than overhead bins so passengers and crew can detect overheating immediately. Similar restrictions are enforced globally, with carriers such as Emirates, Etihad Airways, flydubai, and Qatar Airways limiting power banks to cabin storage within personal reach, such as seat pockets or bags under seats, and strictly prohibiting their placement in overhead lockers or checked baggage, as outlined by Cntravellerme.

The October emergency is part of a troubling pattern for the airline. As noted by The Hindu, this marks at least the third incident involving a power bank catching fire onboard an IndiGo aircraft within a twelve-month span. Previous occurrences included an emergency evacuation following a post-landing fire in Chandigarh and a taxiway incident in Delhi where a device overheated inside a seat-back pocket.

Aviation authorities and consumer safety groups continue to urge strict adherence to dangerous goods protocols. Passengers are advised to inspect portable chargers for swelling or damage before travelling, keep devices accessible rather than stowed away from direct supervision, and immediately notify flight crew at the first sign of smoke or unusual heat.