Passengers fled down emergency chutes after a power bank burst into flames on a taxiing EasyJet plane.
The Airbus A320 was evacuated after a power bank caught fire in an overhead locker yesterday (10 Sep).
Smoke filled the cabin while the aircraft was still on the taxiway.
READ MORE: ‘easyJet left us stranded after our golden wedding – my husband was running out of MEDICATION’
Pilots declared a mayday and ordered everyone off the plane.
The scare unfolded at Milan Malpensa Airport in Italy as flight U23905 left Terminal 2 bound for the Czech capital Prague.
The jet had to be pushed back at 5.24pm and stopped beside the airport fire station.
All 146 passengers left the aircraft.
Two suffered slight bruises coming down the inflatable slides.
Firefighters based at the airport reached the plane within minutes, with an ambulance close behind.
Early findings point to a lithium power bank overheating in a trolley bag in an overhead locker.
Cabin crew spotted smoke and the captain halted the taxi towards the runway.
Airport operator SEA stopped take-offs and landings while crews dealt with the emergency situation.
Runway 35L reopened at 6.35pm.
The second runway, 35R, stayed shut until 7.30pm so the jet could be towed away and checked.
Italy’s air accident agency, ANSV, has opened a safety inquiry.
Passengers on other taxiing jets were also taken off as a precaution.
Eurocontrol told inbound flights to use alternative airports during the stoppage.
No serious injuries were reported.
Most airlines ban power banks from the hold.
EasyJet allows two in the cabin, but they cannot be used to charge devices in flight.
SEA confirmed the airport was back to full operations by 7.30pm.
The Prague service left Malpensa several hours late on Thursday evening.
Flight trackers show the same route landing in Prague that night, as reported by creatorzine.com.
Police and fire investigators are examining the burnt device and the bag it was in.
EasyJet has not issued a public comment as of this morning (11 Sep).
READ MORE: Mum quits ‘nightmare’ Haven caravan after kids find loose prescription pills and son gets a rash
