An Air China passenger flight was forced to divert after a fire broke out inside an overhead luggage compartment while cruising at approximately 33,000 feet, triggering panic among passengers and an emergency response from the cabin crew.
Mid-Air Fire Erupts During Flight to Seoul
The incident occurred aboard Air China flight CA139, an Airbus A321 traveling from Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport to Seoul.
According to reports, the fire originated from an overheating power bank stored in the overhead hand luggage compartment.
As smoke spread through the aircraft cabin, passengers became alarmed, with some urging the crew to act quickly by shouting, “Faster, Faster,” while flight attendants rushed to contain the flames before they could spread further.
Cabin Crew Prevent Disaster
The flight crew successfully extinguished the fire using onboard emergency equipment, preventing the situation from escalating into a more serious emergency.
Despite the frightening conditions inside the aircraft, all 160 passengers and crew members escaped injury.
Their rapid response allowed the aircraft to remain under control while preparations were made for an emergency landing.
Aircraft Diverts to Shanghai
Following the fire, the Airbus diverted from its original route and landed safely at Shanghai Pudong International Airport at approximately 11 a.m.
After arriving safely, passengers disembarked and were later transferred to another aircraft, which completed the scheduled journey to Seoul.
China Tightens Restrictions on Power Banks
The incident comes amid increased concerns over lithium-ion battery safety in aviation.
Since June, the Civil Aviation Administration of China has prohibited passengers on domestic flights from carrying power banks and batteries that do not display mandatory 3C certification labels.
The restrictions were introduced following a growing number of onboard incidents involving lithium-ion batteries overheating or catching fire during flights.
Separate Aviation Accident Reported in Hong Kong
In another aviation incident, a cargo aircraft arriving from Dubai veered off the runway at Hong Kong International Airport early Monday before ending up in the sea.
The accident occurred at approximately 3:50 a.m. and resulted in the deaths of two people believed to have been inside an airport ground vehicle.
Four crew members aboard the cargo aircraft were rescued and transported to hospital for treatment.
Airport officials confirmed that the affected runway remains closed while investigations continue, although the airport’s other two runways are operating normally, allowing flight operations to continue with minimal disruption.
