An Air China flight turned into a scene of panic on Saturday when a lithium battery packed inside a passenger’s hand luggage suddenly caught fire mid-air. Flight CA139, which was travelling from Hangzhou to Seoul, had to make an emergency diversion to Shanghai-Pudong Airport after thick smoke began billowing from the overhead compartment.

Videos shared online showed startled passengers leaping from their seats as crew members rushed to douse the flames. Some passengers could be seen covering their faces as the cabin filled with smoke, while flight attendants grabbed fire extinguishers and water bottles to contain the blaze.

According to local media reports, the battery was believed to have overheated inside a bag stored in the overhead bin. Air China later confirmed that the fire was qui

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