Faulty battery in passenger’s handbag delays Saudia flight

A bad flammable battery inside a passenger’s handbag on a Saudi Arabian Airlines Boeing 777-200 Flight No. SV885, heading to King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh from Guangzhou, China, spread sparks and smoke and caused the delay of the flight after all passengers were removed from the plane for their safety.
Capt. Mohammed Al-Shahrani, assistant director general for safety and quality, said while passengers were taking their seats, the crew noticed smoke coming from the bag of one passenger which was located under his seat in economy class.
“The captain of the plane was immediately informed and he gave directions to evacuate passengers and crew from the plane for their safety. All luggage was downloaded to make sure no further flammable materials existed inside the luggage,” said Al-Shahrani.
He confirmed that all 316 passengers on the plane were unharmed and there were no cases of smoke inhalation among them.
“They were hosted at the airport lounge and then were moved to a hotel at the expense of the airline, and their needs were attended to until the plane was ready for boarding and takeoff,” he said.
Al-Shahrani commended the prompt action of the crew as they followed and applied all necessary safety measures.
“They took the bag outside the plane and removed passengers from the plane to ensure their safety. They directed them to a specialized medical center for checks and to make sure they were capable of boarding the plane again. Such measures are employed by Saudi Arabian Airlines within the framework of its operational processes,” he said.
He advised passengers not to carry flammable devices or material while traveling on planes because of the hazards and dangers they pose to their lives and the lives of others as well.
“International aviation systems prohibit carrying such devices and materials,” he said.