Air China flight diverted after power bank ignites in cabin

An Air China flight from Hangzhou to Seoul made an emergency diversion to Shanghai Pudong Airport on Saturday after a lithium battery in a passenger's carry-on bag ignited in an overhead compartment, the airline said. The Airbus A321 was cruising at about 33,000 feet when flames and thick smoke erupted in a mid-cabin bin; crew and passengers fought the blaze and the plane landed safely with no reported injuries.

Air China said the device "spontaneously ignited" in the overhead luggage. Video circulating online shows flames and dense black smoke pouring from the bin as cabin crew rushed with fire extinguishers and passengers moved away from the area. Cabin staff worked to contain the fire while the flight crew requested an emergency return to Shanghai. Flight tracking data indicated the aircraft made a sharp turn before completing an unscheduled landing at roughly 11 a.m., officials said.

Passengers described moments of alarm as attendants battled the blaze. Some footage captures shouts and panic among travelers, while other accounts on board praised flight attendants for their swift response in putting out the flames. Air China said crew followed emergency procedures and...