A Hong Kong Airlines flight en route from Hangzhou to Hong Kong was forced to make an emergency landing at Fuzhou Changle International Airport after a fire broke out in the overhead luggage compartment. The incident, which occurred just 15 minutes after takeoff, was reportedly caused by a power bank.
Flight HX115, an Airbus A320, had 168 passengers and crew onboard. The fire was quickly extinguished by flight attendants and passengers using water and juice, preventing further escalation. Social media footage showed the charred overhead compartment, with passengers crouching in the aisles as the crew worked to control the situation.
“Hong Kong Airlines flight HX115, departing from Hangzhou to Hong Kong today, diverted and landed safely in Fuzhou Changle International Airport due to a fire in the overhead compartment, which was successfully extinguished,” the airline told SCMP (a Hong Kong-based publication).=
The aircraft landed safely in Fuzhou, where emergency responders were on standby. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and passengers disembarked via shuttle buses.
The Civil Aviation Department of Hong Kong stated that it would investigate the incident in collaboration with the airline, which had reported the case and was expected to submit an official investigation report to the authorities. It also confirmed that no injuries were reported.
This incident highlights the increasing risks associated with portable power banks on flights. Similar cases have been reported globally, prompting airlines to tighten regulations. For instance, Singapore Airlines and other carriers have announced bans on the in-flight use of power banks starting April 2025.
