By PERKIN AMALARAJ

Published: 00:04 BST, 3 June 2025 | Updated: 04:08 BST, 3 June 2025

Passengers on an airplane were left terrified after the cabin filled with smoke following an explosion of a power bank just 15 minutes into a flight. 

Video footage showed passengers panicking as thick, acrid smoke began billowing out of an overhead locker. 

People could be heard shouting at each other, and opening it up to find one passenger’s camera battery and power bank smouldering in a locker. 

A flight attendant appeared with a small fire extinguisher to put out the fire. 

The incident took place on China Southern Airlines flight CZ6850 from Hangzhou to Shenzhen in China on Saturday, May 31. 

The pilot of the plane was forced to return to Hangzhou International Airport after the passenger’s power bank ignited shortly after take-off.

An airline spokesperson said: ‘The crew handled it properly and quickly eliminated the safety risk. To ensure safety, the flight immediately returned to the airport and landed safely 15 minutes after take-off.’

The spokesperson added that no one was injured, and that the airline would help any passengers affected by the delay. 

Video footage showed passengers panicking as thick, acrid smoke began billowing out of an overhead locker

Video footage showed passengers panicking as thick, acrid smoke began billowing out of an overhead locker

People could be heard shouting at each other, and opening it up to find one passenger's camera battery and power bank smouldering in a locker

People could be heard shouting at each other, and opening it up to find one passenger’s camera battery and power bank smouldering in a locker

The incident took place on China Southern Airlines flight CZ6850 from Hangzhou to Shenzhen in China on Saturday, May 31

The incident took place on China Southern Airlines flight CZ6850 from Hangzhou to Shenzhen in China on Saturday, May 31

The airline also reminded customers to follow aviation safety regulations to prevent incidents like this in the future.

Earlier this year, fellow Asian carriers Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet Air said that passengers are now not allowed to use lithium-based powerbanks aboard their planes.

Many airlines across the world have banned the use of the devices on their planes in recent years due to the risk they carry of igniting unexpectedly.

Passengers also have to take them out of carry-on bags and place them so they are visible at all times. 

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Moment airplane cabin fills with smoke after power bank EXPLODES just minutes after take off

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