Quick response prevents further injury
Staff helped the man into a shower before paramedics arrived. He was taken to hospital in stable condition and later released.
A witness described seeing “battery acid flying everywhere,” according to The Age. Australian filmmaker Leanne Tonkes, present at the lounge, shared an image of the burnt power bank on Instagram, praising the quick thinking of staff and bystanders.
Passengers describe panic
Travellers reported panic as smoke spread through the lounge. One Reddit user said they “heard screaming from the other side of the lounge” and that the explosion sent “battery acid flying everywhere.”
“His jacket caught on fire. They evacuated us because the smoke and smell was so strong, but I really just hope the guy is okay,” the passenger added.
Airline and safety measures
Qantas is reviewing its policy on passengers carrying lithium batteries, including portable power banks, and will provide updates soon.
The Transport Security Administration (TSA) requires that power banks containing lithium-ion batteries be packed in carry-on luggage only, with spare batteries prohibited in checked bags.
Several major airlines, including Emirates, Singapore Airlines, and Cathay Pacific, ban the use of power banks on flights. Previous incidents include:
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October 2025: Air China flight emergency landing in Shanghai due to a lithium battery in carry-on luggage.
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July 2025: Fire on a Virgin Australia flight from Sydney to Hobart caused by a power bank in an overhead locker.
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January 2025: Portable power bank likely caused a plane fire in South Korea.
Airlines also limit the number and capacity of rechargeable batteries passengers can carry. For example, some airlines allow only two power banks between 100Wh and 160Wh, kept within easy reach during flights.
