Flight forced to make emergency landing when passenger admits mistake that could have caused disaster

An EasyJet flight from Egypt to England was forced to make an emergency landing after a passenger admitted her portable power bank was actively charging in her checked luggage, sparking a fire scare.

The mid-air drama was instantly intensified by the aircraft’s pilot, who panicked the 180 passengers on board by ominously announcing, “there’s something we shouldn’t have on board” before making an abrupt descent to Rome, according to The Sun.

Fiumicino Airport in Rome, where the EasyJet flight was diverted. travelview – stock.adobe.com

Power banks and portable chargers containing lithium-ion batteries are strictly prohibited in checked luggage, especially when actively charging another device.

“No one knew what to think,” said Paul Casterton, 57, who was traveling with his wife, Laura Barlett, 61.

“Suddenly the plane changed direction and made a descent,” he continued.

“It was hard not to fear the worst.”

According to Casterton, relief came over passengers when the portable charger owner confessed — “Word spread as to the true reason we had been diverted,” he said.

EasyJet told People in a statement that the captain “took the decision to divert as a precaution in line with safety regulations.”

An EasyJet flight from Egypt to the UK was diverted to Rome after a charging power bank was reported in the cargo hold. Getty Images

“The aircraft landed safely, and passengers disembarked routinely. We provided hotel accommodation and meals where available.”

If a battery catches fire in the cabin, passengers or flight attendants would see the smoke immediately and can douse it with water or soda to cool it down.

However, if a fire starts in the plane’s cargo hold, it can grow completely undetected and uncontained until it causes catastrophic damage to the aircraft’s structure.