Virgin Australia Flight Fire Linked to Power Bank

A Virgin Australia flight from Sydney to Hobart declared a mayday after a fire broke out in an overhead locker, likely caused by a passenger’s power bank. The cabin filled with smoke, leading to panic among passengers, but the crew quickly extinguished the fire using water and fire extinguishers. The aircraft landed safely at Hobart Airport, with one passenger treated for suspected smoke inhalation and no serious injuries reported. The incident caused significant delays and led Virgin Australia, along with regulators, to investigate and consider changes to battery and power bank policies. Similar battery-related fires on other airlines have resulted in bans or additional restrictions on power banks in carry-on baggage. Aviation authorities are urging passengers to pack battery-powered devices safely and remain vigilant with in-flight electronics.