Passengers on a U.K. EasyJet flight departing from Heraklion, Greece, to Gatwick, London, were forced to evacuate after a bag containing an e-cigarette and power bank exploded. The cabin filled with smoke, prompting an emergency evacuation down the aircraft’s slides. Fortunately, there were no serious injuries, and passengers were eventually flown to their destination after a replacement plane was provided.
Key Facts:
- A suspected explosion of an e-cigarette and power bank in a passenger’s bag caused the emergency.
- All 236 passengers were evacuated from the EasyJet flight via emergency slides.
- No serious injuries occurred, though one person sustained a friction burn.
- The cause of the fire remains unclear, though overheating batteries are a known risk in electronic devices.
- A replacement aircraft was arranged, and passengers were flown home later that same day.
The Rest of The Story:
The EasyJet flight was preparing to take off from Greece when the incident occurred.
As passengers were boarding, Malachi Griffith, a passenger on the flight, reported hearing “fizzing noises” before seeing smoke filling the cabin. A young woman raced down the aisle with her smoking bag, which had reportedly caught fire. The source of the fire was an e-cigarette and power bank, although the exact cause of the explosion remains unknown.
The cabin crew acted swiftly, and all 236 passengers were ordered to evacuate down the emergency slides. Video footage taken by Griffith captured the chaos as people slid down to safety. Ground crew assisted passengers on the tarmac, with only minor injuries reported, including a friction burn sustained during the evacuation.
Passengers on an EasyJet flight from Greece to the UK were evacuated using emergency slides after a vape exploded inside a carry-on bag
Source- ABC7 pic.twitter.com/1L2uenxhZG
— BreezyScroll (@BreezyScroll) September 21, 2024
According to EasyJet, the aircraft followed standard safety procedures. Firefighters attended to the incident, and passengers were temporarily looked after in the terminal while a new plane and crew were organized. The airline did not comment further on what triggered the fire in the bag, though a scorch mark was left on the plane’s floor.
Overheating devices have become an increasing concern on flights, with a 28% rise in such incidents between 2019 and 2023. E-cigarettes account for a large share of these cases, making up 35% of overheating events. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency and the TSA allow passengers to carry e-cigarettes, but they must not be charged onboard due to the risk of fire.
Commentary:
This incident showcases a growing safety issue related to electronic devices on airplanes. While modern air travel is safer than ever, the rising number of overheating battery incidents introduces a new layer of risk. This explosion could have had far worse consequences, but thanks to quick action by the crew and the evacuation process, disaster was avoided.
The fact that e-cigarettes, which are relatively harmless on the ground, are increasingly becoming a mid-air hazard and is something the aviation industry may need to address more proactively.
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It may be time for stricter guidelines on carrying such devices, especially for flights involving long hours or high passenger volumes. Balancing the convenience of travel with safety is crucial, but as incidents like this show, small electronics can present larger problems if not properly managed.
The Bottom Line:
The EasyJet evacuation highlights a growing problem with overheating batteries on flights, especially from e-cigarettes and power banks.
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While no one was seriously harmed, this incident serves as a reminder of the risks that modern technology can pose, especially on airplanes.
