• An Air China flight was diverted to Shanghai due to a lithium battery fire.
• No injuries were reported in the incident.
• The aircraft landed safely at Shanghai Pudong International Airport.
• Passengers reported flames and smoke from an overhead compartment.
• The incident resulted in tightened regulations for lithium batteries on flights.

An Air China flight from Hangzhou to Incheon encountered a serious incident when a lithium battery in a passenger's carry-on luggage caught fire, prompting an emergency landing in Shanghai on October 18. The airline stated, “On October 18, on flight CA139 from Hangzhou to Incheon, a lithium battery in a passenger’s carry-on luggage stored in the overhead compartment spontaneously ignited,” as reported by Channel News Asia and South China Morning Post.

The plane, carrying 160 passengers and crew, took off at 9:47 am local time and was scheduled to land at Incheon International Airport at 12:20 pm. Instead, it made an unscheduled landing at Shanghai Pudong International Airport to ensure safety after flames were reported from an overhead storage compartment. According to eyewitness accounts, a loud bang preceded the fire, which caused significant alarm among passengers, as detailed by India Times and South China Morning Post.

Videos shared on social media showed bright flames and smoke, with flight attendants rushing down the aisle with fire extinguishers, as some passengers urged others to remain calm. Thankfully, no injuries were reported, reaffirming that the situation was handled swiftly and effectively by the crew, according to Channel News Asia and India Times.

The incident has raised concerns regarding lithium batteries on flights, leading to renewed scrutiny. The use of unapproved power banks on flights has previously been restricted due to safety risks linked to similar incidents, illustrating a growing trend of incidents involving lithium batteries in aviation throughout Asia, reports South China Morning Post and India Times.