Flight emergency due to battery fire

An external battery caught fire in the luggage compartment of an IndiGo flight traveling from Delhi to Chennai in India, prompting an emergency landing in Hyderabad. The incident occurred on Sunday, October 11, 2026, on an Airbus A321 operated by IndiGo, carrying 180 passengers.

Fire source identified as thermal runaway

The fire was attributed to a phenomenon known as thermal runaway in lithium-ion batteries, which can be caused by overheating, repeated shocks, manufacturing defects, overcharging, or pressure from being packed too tightly. The fire was harder to detect due to the battery being enclosed among clothes and flammable luggage.

Crew response to the fire

Flight attendants are trained in emergency procedures to handle such incidents, using fire extinguishers, isolating the device in fireproof bags, or immersing it in water to stop the chemical reaction. Passengers initially attempted to smother the fire with their bags before the crew extinguished it.

Airlines restrict external batteries

Airlines such as Air France, easyJet, Ryanair, and Lufthansa have strict rules regarding external batteries. These batteries are prohibited in the cargo hold and must be kept in the cabin, never in luggage compartments. Passengers are required to keep them under direct supervision, placed in seat pockets or bags under the seat in front of them.

Regulations on battery capacity

The standard limit for external batteries is two per passenger, not exceeding 100 Wh per unit, or about 27,000 mAh. A classic model of 20,000 mAh (approximately 74 Wh) would pass without formalities. Batteries with capacities between 100 and 160 Wh (27,000 to 43,000 mAh) require prior approval from the airline. Passengers are advised to ensure the inscriptions on the battery casing are clearly readable to avoid confiscation at security checks and to immediately alert the crew if the battery heats up, swells, or emits a suspicious odor during the flight.