A major incident was averted on SriLankan Airlines' flight from Kochi to Colombo carrying 202 passengers after suspected ignition of a lithium battery pack or mobile phones in a hand baggage, the carrier said today.
The incident was reported on Sunday shortly after the meal service on the 70-minute flight was concluded.
"Alert cabin crew members aboard SriLankan Airlines' flight UL 166 managed to avert a major incident that is believed to have been caused by the ignition of a lithium battery pack or mobile phones in a passenger's hand luggage," the carrier said in a statement.
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The airline said none of the 202 passengers or any of the crew suffered any injuries and the A330-200 aircraft landed safely at Colombo's Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA).
Suspecting a lithium fire, they adopted the lithium fire extinguishing procedure by immersing the bag in a container of water, the statement said.
"The situation was successfully contained and the bag ceased to emit smoke. Upon investigation, the crew found a lithium battery pack and two mobile phones in the bag,"
The airline as well as relevant authorities in Sri Lanka have launched an investigation into the incident.
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