25 May 2023 , 03:45
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An e-cigarette caused mass panic on a flight bound for Amsterdam earlier this month after it reportedly exploded in an easyJet cabin.
Passengers initially reported hearing a "popping sound" shortly after take-off from Geneva at around 3pm on May 18.
Footage later emerged online from within the Airbus A320 plane, showing smoke billowing from a hand luggage compartment.
The terrifying clip shows the locker glowing orange before a group of male passengers try to grab the bag containing the e-cig and put out the flames with their bare hands.
One man is then seen removing the red-hot item before throwing it aside for others to stamp on.
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A group of passengers attempt to put out the fire (RTS)Screams can be heard as more smoke beings to fill the cabin, before the video ends showing the charred e-cig on the floor.
One passenger told Radio Television Switzerland [RTS] "It seems like it lasts forever, when it's really only a few seconds and everything was extinguished very quickly. There is this smell that takes to the throat and we panic, because 'we're stuck on a plane."
EasyJet told the same station: "The incident will be the subject of a formal investigation, in accordance with the procedures".
Guidance for the airline's customers makes it clear that while e-cigarettes and a maximum of two spare batteries are allowed in in hand baggage, they must not be placed in the plane's cargo hold.
The flight's 191 customers were eventually flown to their intended destination on the following day.
Just 24 hours later, meanwhile, another easyJet flight was forced to make an emergency diversion to Manchester Airport after a "burning smell" was reported onboard.
The airliner landed at approximately 6.45pm on May 19, with a passenger suggesting that the issue was caused by a "generator failing", reports the Manchester Evening News.
The customer tweeted: "My EasyJet flight home from Glasgow to Luton has had to make an emergency stop at Manchester due to a generator failing and smells of burning electricals! So much for this being a quick option."
Flight tracking service RadarBox tweeted that the flight from Glasgow to London Luton was "declaring an emergency and diverting to Manchester".
An EasyJet spokesperson said: "EasyJet can confirm that the fight EZY612 from Glasgow – London Luton on May 19 diverted to Manchester due to a technical issue with the aircraft. The aircraft is currently being inspected by our engineers.
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"The safety of our customers and crew is easyJet's highest priority and easyJet operates its fleet of aircraft in strict compliance with all manufacturers’ guidelines. We would like to apologise to customers for the delay and inconvenience caused."