Chennai-bound flight diverted after passenger’s device catches fire

Chennai-bound flight diverted after passenger’s device catches fire 

12.10.2026

New Delhi: An IndiGo flight operating from Delhi to Chennai on Sunday had to be diverted to Hyderabad after battery of a passenger’s personal electronic device (PED) caught fire. The crew put the device in water and then the aircraft safely diverted to Hyderabad. 

“6E 6115 was diverted to Hyderabad after smoke was detected from a customer’s PED. The cabin crew responded promptly and the situation was brought under control. In line with established protocols, the pilots diverted the flight and landed safely at Hyderabad,” an IndiGo spokesperson said. 

The power bank with the lithium ion battery that caught fire was kept in the overhead baggage bin. Many countries, including India, mandate that the same be kept in front of passengers so that they can quickly spot when, and if, they start emitting smoke and/or catch fire. The idea is to avoid any delay. The biggest scare remains airlines taking cabin bags from passengers at the boarding gate to be kept in baggage hold of aircraft. 

These bags may have PEDs and power banks, and if a fire breaks out in them in the belly baggage hold, the same won’t get detected easily. “An alternate aircraft has been arranged to continue the journey to Chennai. We regret the inconvenience and are making all efforts to minimise it including offering refreshments and sharing timely updates,” the spokesperson said.