An easyJet flight from Greece to the UK was evacuated using emergency slides after a carry-on bag reportedly containing multiple vapes and a power bank exploded. The flight, which was scheduled to depart from Heraklion, Crete, for London Gatwick at 1.55 pm on Tuesday (17 September), was filled with smoke, and "popping noises" were heard during boarding.
Officials said a power bank and e-cigarettes inside a passenger's carry-on luugage caused the disruption. All 236 passengers were quickly evacuated from the Airbus A321 onto the runway.
Witnesses said the bag was dropped in the aisle as “smoke filled the cabin”. As a result, some passengers reportedly panicked, shouting "bomb".
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No Injuries Reported
While no serious injuries were reported, one passenger sustained friction burns while evacuating via the emergency slide. Emergency services responded on the tarmac, and the flight was delayed, eventually departing for London after 11 pm.
An easyJet spokesperson confirmed that "flight EZY8216 from Heraklion to London Gatwick was evacuated during boarding prior to departure on 17 September, due to a fire in a passenger’s cabin bag". "Fire services attended the aircraft and cabin crew evacuated the aircraft in line with procedures," the spokesperson added.
“Customers were looked after in the terminal while a replacement aircraft and crew were arranged to fly customers home later the same day. Safety is our highest priority," the spokesperson said.
This isn't the first time passengers have had to evacuate an aircraft due to a fire this year. A similar incident came to light in July, when a fire broke out inside the cabin of an American Airlines flight at San Francisco International Airport, prompting an evacuation.
Three passengers on the Miami-bound flight sustained minor injuries, with one getting hurt while using the inflatable slide to exit the plane.