On Tuesday, May 5, 2026, a routine landing at Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport in Chandigarh turned into a scene of panic and emergency maneuvers. IndiGo Flight 6E 108, arriving from Hyderabad with 204 passengers and 6 crew members on board, was forced to undergo a full-scale emergency evacuation after a passenger's power bank exploded, filling the cabin with toxic smoke.

Timeline of the Emergency

The aircraft touched down safely at approximately 3:30 PM. As the plane was taxiing toward the terminal, a loud "pop" was heard from the rear of the cabin, specifically near row 39. Within seconds, a passenger’s power bank caught fire, emitting thick, acrid smoke that rapidly spread through the ventilation system.

Witnesses described a scene of immediate confusion. "There was a strong smell of burning plastic, and then we saw gray smoke pouring out of a seat pocket," one traveler recounted. The cabin crew acted swiftly, deploying portable fire extinguishers to douse the flames. However, lithium-ion battery fires are notoriously difficult to extinguish due to thermal runaway; even after the visible flames were out, the device continued to smolder and release noxious fumes.

The Evacuation

Recognizing the deteriorating air quality inside the pressurized cabin, the Captain made the decision to initiate an emergency evacuation. Ground staff at Chandigarh Airport watched as all six inflatable slides were deployed.

Passengers were instructed to leave all personal belongings behind—a directive that added to the tension as people scrambled toward the exits. The evacuation was completed in under 90 seconds, a testament to the crew's training, though the speed of the descent down the slides resulted in several minor injuries.

Casualties and Damage

While a tragedy was averted, the incident was not without injury:

  • Five passengers were treated on the tarmac for bruises and minor abrasions.

  • One female passenger sustained a serious leg fracture after a hard landing at the base of the emergency slide. She was rushed to a nearby hospital for emergency surgery.

  • The interior of the aircraft suffered smoke damage, and several seat covers were charred by the initial blast.

Regulatory Investigation

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched a formal probe into the incident. The aircraft involved has been grounded for a comprehensive technical inspection. Preliminary reports suggest the power bank may have been a low-quality, unbranded unit that suffered an internal short circuit.

This event serves as a stark reminder of the volatility of lithium-ion batteries. While aviation rules mandate that power banks stay in carry-on luggage (so they can be accessed if they catch fire), this incident highlights the growing concern over high-capacity batteries in confined spaces.

IndiGo issued a statement late Tuesday evening, commending the crew for their "proactive safety measures" and confirming that a replacement flight was arranged for passengers continuing to Bengaluru.