An explosion inside the passengers cabin of an airplane in boarding procedure at the Heraklio airport, Crete, caused panic early Tuesday afternoon. It was a power bank device in a passengers bag that exploded in the aircraft that would soon take off from Heraklio, Crete, for London, UK.
The explosion released smoke in the cabin and caused panic among the passengers. The crew reportedly reacted immediately and the passengers were quickly evacuated
Nobody was injured either by the explosion or during the evacuation.
There were 236 passengers, 2 babies and 7 crew members, neakriti.gr reported.
The fire service rushed to the scene, however, it did need to intervene as there was no flame caused by the explosion.
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The fire service rushed to the scene, however, it did need to intervene as there was no flame caused by the explosion.
The purse with the power bank inside – pictures via neakriti.gr
The aircraft would depart from “Nikos Kazantzakis” airport in Heraklio to Gatwick in London.
“Immediately the staff of the aircraft and the airport followed the safety protocols and an evacuation took place. There was no problem at all and everyone is safe”, Heraklion airport master Giorgos Pliakas told local media.
“There is no problem with the aircraft, but since the slides were opened for its evacuation, the planned route will be carried out with another plane”, Pliakas added.
Cretalive.gr reported that the power bank* and an electronic cigarette were in the bag of a young British passenger who had boarded from the bag door. The woman allegedly told authorities that she had smelled something weird while she was boarding. The explosion occurred after she sat on her seat. She is now waiting for the prosecutor, the local media reported.
The reasons for the explosion are not known, so far.
According to latest information by Mega TV Live News magazine, the passengers were in procedure to take their luggage and board another airplane to reach their destination in London.
*Power bank is a portable battery that allows you to charge electronic devices like smartphones, tablets, and laptops on the go.
For this reason never and never put lithium devices such as a power bank in your check-in luggage. Always carry power banks in your hand luggage so cabin crew can respond directy in case of fire. If your hand luggage has to be carried in the hold… take out the electronic devices!
These devices should be banned for safety.
At least the cheap China trash. I do not trust Chinese electronics further than I can throw it and avoid buying it whenever possible.
If you would ban Lithium Ion batteries completely, nobody could fly anymore at all, because they would all have to leave their smartphones at home.
But maybe a regulation to put bigger batteries like those in powebanks into a fireproofed bag. After all we already have that silly transparent bag for fluids.