Passengers on EasyJet flight EZY8216 from Heraklion to Gatwick faced an unexpected evacuation on Tuesday evening after a bag of vapes exploded, causing smoke and panic on the tarmac. The incident occurred before take-off, forcing passengers to disembark the aircraft.
One passenger, holding a bum bag containing the vapes, triggered the alarm when the bag began to smoke. Witnesses reported seeing her urgently asking others to clear the aisle as the situation escalated. Amid fears of a potential bomb, the evacuation slides were deployed. Fortunately, only one passenger sustained minor injuries from using the slide.
Cabin crew promptly followed safety procedures, allowing passengers to return to the aircraft to retrieve their belongings before being rebooked on a different flight later that evening. EasyJet’s Director of Flight Operations, Bart Prudon, confirmed the cause as an “electrical fire in a customer’s cabin bag.”
“Our crew immediately followed procedure, which included evacuating the aircraft, using extinguishers, and calling the airport fire services,” Prudon stated. “Medical services were made available to both our customers and our crew.”
An EasyJet spokesperson added, “Safety is our highest priority. Customers were looked after in the terminal while a replacement aircraft and crew were arranged to fly them home later the same day.”
The swift response by the crew ensured the safety of all passengers and highlighted the importance of adhering to safety protocols in emergency situations.