A Virgin Australia flight bound for Sydney was forced to make an emergency return to Hobart after a lithium battery caught fire mid-air, causing chaos and panic among passengers.
The incident occurred shortly after take-off, with cabin crew swiftly detecting smoke in the overhead locker. Passengers reported hearing a loud 'pop' before the smell of burning electronics filled the cabin.
Emergency Response
The pilot immediately declared an emergency, turning the Boeing 737 around and landing safely back in Hobart. Fire crews were on standby as the aircraft touched down, though the situation was quickly brought under control.
Virgin Australia confirmed the incident involved a 'thermal event' with a lithium battery in a passenger's device. All 67 passengers and crew disembarked safely, with no injuries reported.
Passenger Accounts
'It was terrifying - people were shouting and the crew were rushing to contain it,' one shaken passenger told reporters. Another described seeing 'smoke pouring from the overhead compartment' before flight attendants used fire extinguishers to douse the flames.
Aviation Safety Concerns
The incident has reignited concerns about lithium battery safety in aviation. These power sources, found in phones, laptops and other electronics, can pose serious fire risks if damaged or defective.
Virgin Australia has launched an investigation into the incident, while aviation authorities review procedures for handling such emergencies. The airline praised its crew's 'professional and swift response' in preventing a potential disaster.
