Passengers aboard an Air China flight experienced a frightening ordeal when an overhead locker caught fire, prompting an emergency landing due to smoke filling the cabin. The incident occurred on a flight from Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport to Seoul, with 160 passengers and crew on board.
Amidst the chaos, cabin crew and passengers scrambled to address the situation, with one passenger attempting to locate the source of the fire. The urgency escalated as screams filled the cabin, and a loud explosion was heard before the flames erupted, causing further alarm.
Fortunately, the crew swiftly extinguished the fire using a fire extinguisher, averting any injuries. Air China later confirmed that a lithium battery in a passenger’s carry-on luggage was the cause of the fire, leading to the diversion of Flight CA139 to Shanghai Pudong International Airport for safety precautions.
After landing in Shanghai, passengers were transferred to another aircraft bound for Seoul. Videos and photos shared online captured the intensity of the fire and smoke, revealing scorched marks on multiple rows of seats.
Although the lithium battery was identified as the ignition source, details about the specific device or manufacturer remain undisclosed. This incident is the latest in a series involving lithium batteries on flights in the region, highlighting the potential risks associated with such devices. Previous incidents in the year involved smoke from camera batteries and power banks, emphasizing the need for heightened safety measures in air travel.