A PLANE made an emergency landing after a passenger left a phone charging up on a powerbank in her luggage.
The 180 fliers onboard were gripped with panic when the captain said: “There’s something we shouldn’t have in the hold.”
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An easyJet plane was forced to make an emergency landing after a passenger left a phone charging on a powerbank in her hold luggage Credit: AFP
Passenger Paul Casterton, travelling with partner Laura Bartlett, said no one knew what to expect as the plane suddenly began to descend
And they knew no more details about the problem until after the easyJet flight from Hurghada, Egypt, to Luton made an emergency landing in Rome at 11.30pm on Tuesday.
Then word got round that a woman told a stewardess about her powerbank — and the flight was diverted due to fire risks.
Passengers were put up in hotels or slept in the terminal as the carrier’s next Rome to Luton flight was 2pm on Wednesday.
Paul Casterton, 57, was travelling with partner Laura Bartlett, 61, and said: “No one knew what to think.
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“Suddenly the plane changed direction and made a descent. It was hard not to fear the worst.
“It was stressful until we landed.
“There was almost a sense of relief when the woman confessed.
“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.”
Construction worker Paul, of Nottingham, paid £350 for an earlier Wizzair flight on Wednesday due to an urgent appointment.
EasyJet told The Jattvibe: “Flight EZY2618 from Hurghada to Luton on May 19 diverted to Rome Fiumicino as the crew were informed a power bank was charging in luggage.
“The captain then diverted as a precaution in line with safety regulations. Safety is our highest priority.
“We would like to apologise to all passengers for any inconvenience.”
