A passenger's power bank ignited on an IndiGo flight after landing in Chandigarh, filling the cabin with smoke and forcing an emergency evacuation. Six people were injured during the chaotic exit, raising concerns about onboard safety protocols for lithium battery devices and post-incident handling.
US airlines are implementing new rules for portable chargers starting May 1, responding to rising lithium battery incidents. American Airlines limits passengers to two chargers with active ones in plain view. Southwest allows only one charger and prohibits overhead bin storage. United and Delta require chargers to remain within reach. The FAA reports 28 incidents this year, averaging nearly two per week, with over 700 since 2006.
Emergency services say a fire at the Li-ion Energy site in Maddington in Perth's south-east — the biggest blaze of its kind in WA's history — will be reviewed to inform future responses to lithium battery fires.
