A Hong Kong Airlines plane was diverted to make an emergency landing after a small blaze erupted in an overhead storage compartment, allegedly caused by a faulty power bank. The fire erupted on board soon after the flight took off, leading to swift action from the crew.
The plane landed safely back at Hong Kong International Airport with all 168 passengers and crew members safe. The emergency services were on alert as the aircraft touched down, but the situation was soon brought under control.
Authorities are probing the precise cause of the fire, with preliminary reports indicating a power bank could have overheated and caught fire. Hong Kong Airlines said passenger safety is always its first concern and commended the crew for their prompt action.
The incident has revived debate about the dangers of having lithium-ion batteries in the cabin of an aircraft, even though there are airline rules in place governing their use and transportation.
