A vape device exploded mid-flight on Virgin Australia flight VA328, causing panic as the plane prepared to land at Melbourne Airport. The sudden blaze prompted a major emergency response, with over a dozen fire and rescue vehicles rushing to the scene.
Air traffic controllers had to hold other planes in the air, resulting in delays to flight schedules. Despite the chaos, the Brisbane-to-Melbourne flight landed safely around 4:45pm on Sunday.
Emergency crews were ready on the tarmac as passengers and crew disembarked calmly, with no injuries reported. A Virgin Australia spokesperson praised the crew’s quick action, stating, “The safety of our guests and crew is our highest priority, and we thank our crew for their swift response in containing the device.”
Following the incident, vape device regulations have been tightened. Vapes are legal in carry-on luggage but banned in checked bags. Devices must be turned off and cannot be used or recharged during flights. Only personal-use quantities are allowed, while commercial amounts are prohibited. Spare batteries must comply with airline safety rules and be individually protected.
This incident comes as Virgin Australia, Qantas, and Jetstar have increased safety protocols after a power bank fire onboard last year. In July, a power bank caught fire in an overhead locker on a Virgin flight from Sydney to Hobart. Crew quickly extinguished the fire and evacuated nearby passengers. Investigations revealed the burnt power bank was inside a passenger’s backpack.
Since then, airlines have introduced new rules banning power bank use mid-flight and limiting their size and quantity for passengers. These measures aim to prevent similar dangerous incidents in the skies.
Originally published by UKNIP.
