An easyJet flight carrying around 180 people was forced to make an emergency landing after a passenger left a phone charging up on a power bank in her luggage. There was reportedly panic after the pilot announced “there’s something we shouldn’t have in the hold”, with some passengers fearing there was a bomb on board.
The plane, which was flying from Egypt to Luton, landed in Rome after being diverted on Tuesday night (May 19). A passenger reportedly told the crew that the device was being charged by a portable power bank in the hold before the flight made an emergency landing due to the risk of fire. According to easyJet, the captain diverted the plane “in line with safety regulations”.
As reported by The Sun, the plane landed in the Italian capital at around 11.30pm with passengers put up in hotels ahead of the next flight to Luton at 2pm the following day. There was reportedly panic on the flight after the pilot announced the plane would be making an emergency diversion.
Paul Casterton, 57, who was travelling with his partner Laura Bartlett, 61, said: “No one knew what to think. Suddenly the plane changed direction and made a descent. It was hard not to fear the worst.
“It was stressful until we landed. There was almost a sense of relief when the woman confessed. Thank goodness it wasn’t a bomb in the hold. Word spread as to the true reason we had been diverted. It was quite an ordeal, but mostly relief that everyone was OK.”
It comes after some airlines have toughened rules on power banks. Many regulations now require them to be stored in hand luggage due to the risk of lithium-ion batteries catching fire.
A spokesperson for easyJet said: “Flight EZY2618 from Hurghada to London Luton on May 19 diverted to Rome Fiumicino and was rescheduled to operate the following morning as the crew were informed that a power bank was charging in a passenger’s luggage. The captain then took the decision to divert as a precaution in line with safety regulations.
“The aircraft landed safely and passengers disembarked routinely. We provided hotel accommodation and meals where available and provided customers who stayed in the airport with refreshments.”
They added: “The safety of its customers and crew is easyJet’s highest priority and easyJet operates its fleet of aircraft in strict compliance with all manufacturers’ guidelines. We are sorry for any inconvenience caused by the diversion and subsequent delay.”
