In a dramatic mid-air incident, an Air China flight was compelled to make an emergency landing on Saturday after a lithium battery in a passenger’s carry-on luggage spontaneously ignited. The fiery mishap sent flames and thick smoke billowing from an overhead bin, causing understandable alarm among passengers.
The flight, traveling from Hangzhou, China, to Seoul, South Korea, encountered the perilous situation when the battery within the overhead compartment’s luggage ignited. Air China confirmed the event in a statement, assuring that the crew responded quickly to manage the fire and ensure the safety of everyone on board. Fortunately, no injuries were sustained during the incident.
Video footage circulating online vividly depicts the intense orange flames erupting from the bin, with smoke quickly engulfing the cabin. Quick-thinking flight attendants were seen rushing towards the blaze with fire extinguishers, while cabin crew members instructed passengers to remain seated. The pilots made the decision to divert the aircraft to Shanghai Pudong International Airport to ensure the well-being of all passengers. An alternative aircraft was subsequently arranged to complete the flight to Seoul.
Eyewitness accounts described hearing popping sounds, akin to small explosions, just before the fire broke out. Passengers experienced several minutes of confusion and anxiety as the fire crackled. Initial reports suggest the ignition source was likely a power bank, though official confirmation from Chinese authorities regarding the battery’s brand or certification status is still pending.
This alarming event is unfortunately not an isolated one, highlighting a recurring risk associated with lithium batteries on flights. Similar incidents have occurred on other Asian carriers, including a China Southern Airlines flight in May that returned to the airport due to a battery fire and an Air Busan flight in January that caused minor injuries to seven passengers due to a power bank fire.