2-3-2025 (BANGKOK) Passengers aboard a Batik Air flight from Johor Bahru to Bangkok experienced moments of intense concern when smoke began billowing from an overhead luggage compartment, reportedly caused by a burning power bank.
The alarming incident, which occurred on 24 February just half an hour before the scheduled landing at Don Mueang International Airport, was swiftly managed by cabin crew, preventing what could have developed into a serious emergency.
Footage of the event, which has since garnered over 2.1 million views on social media platform TikTok, documents the rapid response of three flight attendants who expertly located the source of the smoke. The video, shared by user kentmaherr, reveals how crew members methodically checked several compartments before identifying the affected one.
“The acrid smell of fire stung passengers’ nostrils as thick smoke emerged from the luggage compartment, causing widespread shock amongst those onboard,” described the witness in his caption.
With remarkable composure, the cabin crew evacuated passengers seated beneath the hazardous area before carefully opening the compartment and deploying a fire extinguisher. After successfully subduing the flames, they assisted travellers in retrieving their belongings from the affected storage area.
A male passenger, who had been seated in the aisle opposite, was subsequently escorted to the rear of the aircraft by a crew member after retrieving a black bag believed to contain the faulty device. Kentmaherr later revealed in a follow-up broadcast that the passenger was observed removing a power bank from the bag and placing it in a container, where cabin crew poured bottled water to ensure the device was fully extinguished.
The eyewitness recalled his initial confusion when the incident began: “At first it looked like steam, but seconds later the smoke thickened considerably and a strong chemical odour filled the air.”
He praised both the crew’s efficiency and fellow passengers’ calm demeanour throughout the ordeal, noting: “Thankfully, no one on the flight panicked, everyone remained composed.”
Upon touchdown in Bangkok, fire brigade units and ambulances stood ready to assist, though their intervention proved unnecessary thanks to the crew’s prompt action. “This is the first time I’ve experienced such an incident,” kentmaherr reflected. “I thank Allah for the chance to still be alive!”
Safety regulators have taken note of the increasing frequency of such events. The US Federal Aviation Administration reports that incidents involving overheating lithium batteries on planes have more than doubled since 2018, with approximately three incidents occurring every fortnight in 2024 compared to just under one incident weekly in 2018.
@kentmaherr 30 minit sebelum landing, berlaku detik mencemaskan sbb berlakunya kebakaran dalam luggage compartment dalam flight BOEING 737 Batik Air Perjalanan JHB ( JOHOR BHARU) to DMK (DON MEUNG BANGKOK) 11.20am waktu Malaysia, semua penumpang di kejutkan dengan kepulan asap pekat keluar dari luggage compartment dengan bau kebakaran yg menyengat hidung. Alhamdulillah penumpang dan flight attendant bekerjsama memadamkan kebakaran dan keadaan kembali terkawal dan aman. Setibanya di lapangan terbang Don Meung, pasukan bomba dan ambulance siap sedia menanti untuk memastikan keselamatan kesemua penumpang, kru kapal dan captain. Terima kasih atas tindakan pantas dan kerjasama yg di berikan. Sepanjang hidup saya pernah travel, ini lah kali pertama mengalami kejadian seumpama ini, hanya mampu mengucap dan mengenang anak dan keluarga serta sahabat2 tersayang yg di tinggalkan di Malaysia. Terima kasih Allah SWT atas peluang masih bernyawa! #batikair #BOEING737 #KEBAKARANPESAWAT #JHB #DMK #FYP #powerbankterbakar ##FYPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP #FORYOUPAGE #plane #firefighter ♬ original sound – KENT
