EasyJet Diverts Egypt to London Flight to Rome After Power Bank Charging in Hold

An easyJet flight from Egypt to London was forced to divert to Rome on Tuesday evening after a passenger informed the crew that a power bank was charging inside a suitcase in the aircraft’s hold.

Flight EZY2618 departed from Hurghada on May 19 and was scheduled to land at Luton Airport in the early hours of Wednesday. The captain made the decision to reroute the plane to Rome Fiumicino as a precaution, in line with safety regulations, after being told about the charging device. The aircraft landed safely at 11:30 p.m.

Passengers aboard the flight, which carried 180 people, were not immediately told the reason for the diversion. One traveler, Paul Casterton, 57, who was traveling with his partner Laura Bartlett, 61, described the experience to a newspaper. “No one knew what to think. Suddenly the plane changed direction and made a descent. It was hard not to fear the worst,” he said. He described the remainder of the flight as stressful until landing, adding, “Thank goodness it wasn’t a bomb in the hold. Word spread as to the true reason we had been diverted. It was quite an ordeal, but mostly relief that everyone was OK.”

EasyJet confirmed the diversion in a statement. “Flight...