On September 17, 2024, passengers on EasyJet flight EZY8261 from Heraklion, Crete, to London Gatwick experienced dramatic moments when boarding was abruptly interrupted and an evacuation initiated. The reason for this was the explosion of an e-cigarette in combination with a power bank in a passenger's hand luggage, which led to a fire and heavy smoke in the cabin.
The situation developed quickly, with eyewitnesses reporting that "fire and acrid smoke were coming out of a bag" and loud explosion sounds were heard. The smoke spread rapidly throughout the cabin, causing panic among some passengers. Some shouted "bomb," which led to a frantic attempt to exit the plane. The plane, an Airbus A321, was carrying 236 passengers, including children, at the time of the evacuation.
The evacuation was carried out in an orderly manner, although passengers were under considerable stress. All passengers were able to reach the runway safely via the emergency slides. Only one person suffered minor injuries in the form of friction burns when sliding down the emergency slide. The fire brigade and police were quickly on site and began investigations to determine the exact cause of the incident. Initial indications suggest that the e-cigarette and power bank in the hand luggage of the affected passenger were responsible for the fire.
EasyJet confirmed the incident and stressed that passenger safety was its highest priority. The airline praised the quick response of the crew and emergency services and stated that all safety protocols were followed. The flight was re-operated later the same day with all passengers after the aircraft had been thoroughly inspected. Passengers were given meal vouchers during the delay and were informed of the further procedure.
This incident raises renewed questions about the safety of lithium-ion batteries on aircraft, which are used in devices such as e-cigarettes and power banks. Similar incidents have occurred in the past, prompting the aviation industry to impose strict regulations on carrying such devices on board. However, the current incident shows that the risk still exists, especially in a confined space such as an aircraft.
Fortunately, no one was seriously injured, but questions remain about how to prevent future incidents of this kind. The ongoing investigations may lead to further tightening of safety guidelines.
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