Power bank caught fire during KLM flight, but what are the rules?

Passengers on a KLM flight from Brazil to the Netherlands got the fright of their lives Tuesday evening: halfway through the flight, the cabin suddenly filled with thick smoke. The cause? A power bank that had caught fire. But what are the rules regarding taking a power bank on a plane?

The fire broke out about four hours before the plane was scheduled to land at Schiphol. Footage shows immediate panic. People covered their faces with pillows, while flight attendants walked through the plane with respirators and fire extinguishers. "Everyone was terrified," one passenger wrote on Instagram. "People were shouting, 'Fire, fire!' I didn't know what was happening and thought, 'This is the end.'"

A power bank in a backpack turned out to be the source of the fire. It's unknown how the device caught fire, but according to KLM, the fire was extinguished "quickly and in accordance with safety procedures." The flight continued as normal, and no one was injured. The incident does raise an important question: how can a power bank just catch fire? And are you even allowed to take a power bank on a plane?

When it comes to taking a power bank on a plane, there are special rules. Lithium-ion batteries, which include most power banks, are allowed in your carry-on luggage . However, most airlines don't allow them in the hold. This rule exists for a reason: they pose a fire hazard . The battery contains lithium, a flammable and explosive substance. A power bank only contains a small amount of lithium, but if such a battery overheats, it can cause a short circuit and sometimes even a fire.

Before packing your power bank in your carry-on luggage, it's important to keep the following in mind: you're generally allowed to take two power banks on your flight, but their combined capacity must remain below the maximum 100 Wh. If you're bringing a power bank with a higher capacity, you must clearly report this during check-in. The airline may then decide to transport it in the hold as "special cargo." In most cases, you can read the capacity directly from the power bank itself, but it may become harder to read over time. If you're unsure, it's wise to look up your power bank online.

This is what the new blue circle in your WhatsApp means (and what you can do with it)

Parkinson's for beginners: 'It's terrible when someone grabs my arm to get off the sidewalk'

Polyfamily, a multiple love adventure with 'who in which bed' according to a strict schedule