Flames in baggage compartment on IndiGo flight

A video showing flames emerging from a baggage compartment on IndiGo flight 6E 6115, traveling between Delhi and Chennai on Sunday, October 11, has been circulating since the weekend. The incident occurred on an Airbus A321 operated by India's largest airline and led to an emergency landing in Hyderabad.

Passengers attempt to extinguish fire

Passengers were seen attempting to extinguish the fire by hitting it with their bags, according to multiple reports. The crew eventually controlled the situation, and no injuries were reported. Indian media attribute the incident to an external battery stored in the compartment.

IndiGo responds to the incident

IndiGo stated that smoke was detected from "the passenger's personal electronic device" but did not specifically mention a battery. The airline assured that the situation was quickly controlled and that another plane was sent to transport passengers to Chennai. IndiGo's regulations prohibit external batteries from being placed in baggage compartments, requiring them to be carried in the cabin within reach of the passenger.

DGCA implements strict battery rules

The DGCA, India's civil aviation authority, has imposed similar rules on all airlines since a circular published in November 2025. This followed an earlier incident on an IndiGo flight on October 19, 2025, where an external battery caught fire during taxiing in Delhi. The DGCA emphasized the risks associated with lithium-ion cells in external batteries, which can experience thermal runaway if damaged, poorly manufactured, or overheated.

International regulations on external batteries

Fires in baggage compartments are harder to detect and can spread to surrounding items. Similar regulations exist in other regions. For example, Air France limits external batteries to two per person, requires them to be kept in the cabin, and prohibits their use or charging on board. The airline also sets a limit of 160 Wh per battery, with prior agreement needed for batteries exceeding 100 Wh.

Lufthansa Group enforces strict battery policies

Lufthansa Group airlines, including Swiss, Austrian Airlines, and Brussels Airlines, have also prohibited the use or charging of external batteries on board and their placement in baggage compartments since January 15, 2026. They limit the transport to two external batteries per passenger and require passengers to check the battery's capacity before boarding.