A Hong Kong Airlines flight from Hangzhou to Hong Kong was compelled to make an emergency touchdown in Fuzhou on Thursday, after a power bank within the overhead baggage compartment caught hearth mid-flight, sending passengers and crew speeding to extinguish the flames.
Flight HX115, an Airbus A320-232 (B-LPC), had been airborne for simply quarter-hour when passengers and crew seen flames contained in the overhead bin. Footage from the incident exhibits flight attendants and passengers utilizing water and juice to douse the fireplace. One passenger described the scene as “like a film.”
Emergency touchdown in Fuzhou
The plane, which departed from Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport, was initially scheduled to arrive in Hong Kong. Nonetheless, due to the fireplace, it diverted and landed safely at Fuzhou Changle Worldwide Airport.
After the airplane touched down, it taxied to a chosen gate the place passengers disembarked through shuttle bus. Emergency responders and hearth vans have been on standby, however the scenario was below management, and their intervention was not required.
Terrified passengers and flight attendants douse burning power bank on airplane mid-flight. pic.twitter.com/sLm1ldBANV
— Each day Mail On-line (@MailOnline) March 20, 2025
Airline response
Hong Kong Airlines confirmed that the fireplace had been efficiently extinguished. “Hong Kong Airlines flight HX115, departing from Hangzhou to Hong Kong immediately, diverted and landed safely in Fuzhou Changle Worldwide Airport due to a hearth within the overhead compartment, which was efficiently extinguished,” the airline stated, as per SCMP.
The variety of folks on board has not been disclosed, however no accidents have been reported.
Footage exhibits some passengers leaving their seats and crouching within the aisle earlier than touchdown. The hearth severely blackened the overhead bin, and crew members continued pouring liquids to guarantee it didn’t reignite.
Rising considerations over power banks on flights
In response to comparable instances, a number of airways have up to date insurance policies limiting their in-flight use. From April 1, 2025, Singapore Airlines will prohibit passengers from utilizing moveable chargers throughout flights.
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Earlier this yr, an Air Busan flight from Busan to Hong Kong skilled an identical hearth, additionally suspected to have been brought on by a power bank. Following such incidents, airways in South Korea and Taiwan, together with EVA Air, have tightened laws. EVA Air now bans using power banks and spare lithium batteries on board and prohibits them from being checked in.
EVA Air has suggested passengers to absolutely cost units earlier than boarding and use the in-seat AC sockets and USB ports accessible on its 787, 777-300ER, and A330-300 plane.
(With inputs from South China Morning Submit, FL360aero)
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