Smoke detected mid-air, IndiGo flight with 198 passengers on board makes emergency landing

An IndiGo flight travelling from Dubai to Mumbai was forced to make an emergency landing at Rajkot International Airport on Monday after the pilot detected smoke in the aircraft's cargo hold. Prioritizing safety, the pilot immediately contacted the Rajkot Air Traffic Control and requested an urgent diversion. The aircraft touched down safely on the runway, averting a potential tragedy and allowing everyone on board to disembark securely.

Upon landing, the airport was put on high alert, with police, fire brigade personnel, and ambulances positioned on standby as a precautionary measure. According to the Rajkot Police Commissioner and airport officials, all 198 passengers and 6 crew members on board were evacuated safely without any reported injuries. Ground engineers and aviation safety inspectors have since launched an investigation to inspect the cargo hold and determine the exact cause of the smoke alarm.

This marks the second such incident involving an IndiGo flight in recent months. Earlier in May, a flight from Hyderabad to Chandigarh experienced a similar emergency when a passenger's power bank exploded, filling the cabin with smoke. During that incident, passengers were evacuated using inflatable slides, which resulted in minor injuries to one individual while others were safely deplaned.