An easyJet flight had to perform an emergency landing due to a passenger inadvertently leaving a phone charging on a power bank inside their luggage.
The easyJet aircraft was en route from Hurghada, Egypt to Luton but was diverted to Rome at 11:30 pm on Tuesday, surprising the 180 passengers onboard with the captain’s announcement of an issue in the cargo hold.
Following the incident, the airline’s subsequent flight from Rome to Luton was rescheduled for 2:00 pm on Wednesday, with affected passengers accommodated in hotels or opting to stay in the terminal.
One passenger, Paul Casterton, 57, who was traveling with Laura Bartlett, 61, recounted the tense moments, expressing relief upon the safe landing and the resolution of the situation.
Paul, a construction worker from Nottingham, had to make alternative travel arrangements at a cost of £350 to ensure he could attend an appointment.
In response to the incident, easyJet issued a statement explaining that the diversion was prompted by the crew’s discovery of a power bank being charged within luggage, emphasizing their commitment to safety and apologizing to passengers for any disruptions caused.