Panic on Air China Flight as Lithium Battery Explodes Mid-Air; Emergency Landing Captured in Scary Video
An Air China flight from Hangzhou to Seoul was forced to make an emergency landing in Shanghai on Saturday after a lithium battery in a passenger’s luggage caught fire in an overhead bin shortly after takeoff. The incident occurred on flight CA139, the airline confirmed.
Terrifying Mid-Air Scene
A video of the incident, which has since gone viral on social media, captures the moment panic erupted inside the cabin. Passengers can be heard screaming and shouting “hurry up” as flames and smoke billow from an overhead luggage compartment. Flight attendants are seen rushing to the scene with fire extinguishers to douse the blaze while trying to calm the terrified passengers. The footage shows the cabin quickly filling with smoke as the crew worked to contain the fire.
Crew’s Swift Action Averts Disaster
Air China credited its crew with responding swiftly and effectively, extinguishing the fire within minutes and averting a potential catastrophe. Following the incident, the pilots diverted the aircraft to Shanghai Pudong International Airport for an emergency landing. The plane landed safely, and no injuries were reported among passengers or crew.
Flight Information and Aftermath
Flight CA139 had departed from Hangzhou at 9:47 a.m. and was scheduled to land at Seoul’s Incheon International Airport at 12:20 p.m. Following the emergency landing, affected passengers were provided assistance to continue their journey to their final destination.
This incident is the latest in a series of aviation scares involving lithium-ion batteries, which has prompted airlines globally to implement stricter regulations regarding the transport and use of power banks and other rechargeable electronic devices on flights.