Emergency Evacuation at Chandigarh Airport After Device Fire on IndiGo Flight
An IndiGo flight from Hyderabad to Chandigarh was evacuated at Chandigarh airport on Tuesday after a passenger's personal electronic device caught fire. The incident occurred after the aircraft had parked on the stand, prompting an immediate emergency response.
No injuries were reported, and all passengers were safely moved to the terminal. The airline confirmed that the Airbus A321neo operating flight 6E from Hyderabad to Chandigarh was evacuated as a precautionary measure after the device ignited.
The crew's swift action was praised on social media. In a post on X, aviation enthusiast Vinamralongani wrote, 'An @IndiGo6E A321neo operating from Hyderabad to Chandigarh was evacuated after having parked on stand because a customer's personal electronic device caught fire. All passengers are safe and have been moved to the terminal. Full marks to the crew!'
The incident highlights the potential hazards posed by electronic devices on aircraft. IndiGo has not yet released an official statement regarding the specific type of device or the cause of the fire. However, the airline emphasized that passenger safety remains its top priority.
This event comes amid growing concerns over lithium-ion batteries in personal electronics, which can overheat and ignite under certain conditions. Aviation authorities worldwide have issued guidelines for carrying such devices, including restrictions on damaged or recalled batteries.
The Chandigarh airport authorities coordinated with the airline to ensure a smooth evacuation and minimal disruption to other operations. The aircraft was later inspected, and normal flight operations resumed after the incident.
