Mid-Air Scare: IndiGo Flight Evacuated at Chandigarh Airport After Power Bank Fire

An IndiGo flight was evacuated at Chandigarh International Airport on Tuesday after a passenger’s power bank caught fire, filling the cabin with smoke moments after landing.

The flight from Hyderabad, carrying 198 passengers and six crew members, had just touched down around 3:29 pm and was taxiing towards the bay when the incident was reported. A passenger alerted the crew after noticing smoke from a power bank kept in a seat pocket.

Crew members quickly moved in to contain the fire using extinguishers, but smoke had already begun to spread inside the aircraft. As a precaution, emergency procedures were initiated, exits were opened, and passengers were evacuated via inflatable slides.

During the evacuation, one woman suffered an ankle injury. A fire tender from the Indian Air Force reached the spot, though the fire had been brought under control by then.

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

The aircraft will undergo detailed safety checks before returning to service, the airline said. Officials from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation indicated that the power bank likely ignited due to an internal fault while stored in a pouch in the seat pocket.