EasyJet plane evacuated after 'explosion' caused by bag of vapes on flight
Police rushed to the tarmac as panic spread on board (file photo)
PA
A London-bound easyJet flight had to be evacuated on the tarmac after a passenger's bag of vapes reportedly exploded on board.
The flight, from Heraklion in Greece to London Gatwick, was plunged into chaos on Tuesday when the bundle of e-cigarettes burst into flames - with police rushing to the tarmac as panic spread.
Witnesses described seeing "a very large red flash and flame followed by thick black smoke" filling the aircraft's cabin, with the explosion believed to have been caused by a power bank and vapes inside a passenger's bag.
The plane's emergency slides were activated, and passengers were safely evacuated within minutes, though one person is understood to have suffered a friction burn as they slid away to safety.
The bag's apparent owner rushed to leave the plane - but as it caught fire, she dropped it in the aisle
PA
The flight was subsequently cancelled, with travellers subjected to hours-long delays before being forced to take another plane later that evening.
One passenger recounted the scenes of chaos, saying: "People were screaming 'bomb' and clattering to get out."
Another witness reported that a "lady with a vape in her bum bag was waving it around as smoke started to come out".
The situation escalated quickly, with one observer saying: "Fire and acrid smoke billowed from the bag... popping, exploding noises, smoke filled the cabin around the bag."
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The plane had to be evacuated on the tarmac
PAAccording to local reports, the bag's apparent owner rushed to leave the plane - but as it caught fire, she dropped it in the aisle while passengers were still trying to take their seats.
An easyJet statement on the incident read: "easyJet can confirm that flight EZY8216 from Heraklion to London Gatwick was evacuated during boarding prior to departure, due to a fire in a passenger's cabin bag.
"Fire services attended the aircraft and cabin crew evacuated the aircraft in line with procedures."
Would-be flyers were looking to return home from Crete when the chaos unfolded
GETTYThe airline assured that passenger safety remains its "highest priority" and confirmed it arranged for a replacement aircraft and crew to fly the affected customers back to London later the same day.
The carrier's policy on vapes details how passengers can carry e-cigarettes and a maximum of two spare batteries in cabin bags - but not in the hold.
Authorities have previously warned about the fire hazards associated with lithium-ion batteries, which are commonly found in electronic devices like vapes.
In the UK, the Civil Aviation Authority advises travellers to inform cabin crew immediately if a device overheats or is damaged during a flight.