IndiGo Flight Diverts to Hyderabad After Passenger Power‑Bank Catches Fire

On the night of October 11, 2026, an IndiGo Airbus‑A320 bound for Chennai took off from Delhi with the usual mix of business travelers, families and a few backpackers. About an hour into the journey, the cabin crew smelled something odd – a faint, acrid smoke drifting from somewhere near the rear galley.

Turns out the source was a passenger’s power bank that had apparently overheated and started to smolder. It wasn’t a dramatic blaze, but the smell and a thin plume of smoke were enough to raise alarms. The crew quickly isolated the device, tried to extinguish the small flame with a portable extinguisher, and informed the pilots.

Following standard procedure, the pilots declared an emergency and requested the nearest suitable airport. Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) in Hyderabad was the logical choice, being just under two hours away and fully equipped to handle an unscheduled landing.

Within minutes the aircraft was on a diversion path, and a few minutes later it touched down safely on runway 27. The passengers were escorted off the plane, thanked for their patience, and given light refreshments while ground staff sorted out the next steps.

IndiGo released a brief statement saying, “We regret the inconvenience caused to our customers due to this unforeseen situation. The safety of our passengers and crew remains our top priority, and we acted swiftly to ensure a safe landing.” The airline also confirmed that all travelers would be placed on the next available flight to Chennai, with no additional cost.

Fortunately, no one was injured and the power‑bank incident caused only minor damage to the seat‑back panel where it was placed. Airport officials praised the crew’s calm handling of the situation and highlighted that the rapid response prevented a bigger problem.

While the incident underscores the importance of adhering to airline regulations regarding lithium‑ion batteries, it also serves as a reminder that cabin crews are trained to deal with such hiccups efficiently. Passengers are encouraged to keep power banks in their carry‑on bags and ensure they are switched off during the flight.

As of now, the diverted flight is scheduled to resume its Chennai route later today, and passengers who were re‑routed are expected to reach their destination without further delay.