Chandigarh, May 5: An emergency evacuation was initiated at Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport on Tuesday afternoon after a power bank exploded aboard a flight arriving from Hyderabad. The incident occurred around 3:30 p.m., forcing 198 passengers and six crew members to exit the aircraft using emergency slides as smoke permeated the cabin.
The disturbance began when a passenger located near the rear of the aircraft reported fire and smoke originating from a bag. While the flight crew utilized onboard extinguishers to manage the initial flare-up, the volume of smoke necessitated a full emergency declaration once the plane reached the bay. Officials stated that all safety protocols were followed to ensure the rapid dispersal of those on board.
“A detailed report from the airline is awaited,” Airport CEO Ajay Verma stated regarding the incident. He noted that while the evacuation was successful, one female passenger sustained a sprained ankle during the descent down the emergency slides. An Air Force fire tender was dispatched to the aircraft immediately, though officials affirmed it was not required as the smoke had already dissipated.
Preliminary findings indicate the explosion occurred in a bag belonging to a passenger in seat 39A. Aviation authorities and IndiGo Airlines officials maintained that the evacuation was a precautionary measure to ensure no further risk to life. Airport staff continue to monitor the situation as the airline prepares a formal statement on the technical failure of the electronic device.
