EasyJet passengers film shocking footage of themselves fleeing down evacuation slide after ‘bag of vapes’ explodes
HEART-STOPPING footage shows panicked easyJet passengers scrambling down an evacuation slide after an explosion onboard.
A bag containing vapes caught fire on the jet bound for London – sparking a frantic evacuation in Greece.
All 236 passengers at Heraklion airport in Crete had to exit the plane via inflatable emergency slides.
Dramatic footage captured by one of the travellers onboard shows hordes of people anxiously queuing in the aisle to exit the cabin.
It then shows one man fleeing the plane via the inflatable slide as airport workers brace to catch him at the bottom.
The emergency response staff on the tarmac appear nervous as they prepare to slow his fall, and the person behind the camera soon follows.
One injured themselves making their way down to the tarmac after the terrifying blast.
A bag holding a power bank and e-cigarettes exploded just before the jet was set to take-off for London Gatwick.
Those onboard described “a very large red flash and flame followed by thick black smoke” as they fled.
One passenger told MailOnline they heard someone asking “What is that, what is that?” moments before the blast.
People were “screaming bomb and clattering to get out”.
Some said a “lady with a vape in her bum bag was waving it around as smoke started to come out”.
One witness described a British woman holding the bag as she tried to leave the plane, asking people to get out of the way.
But her bag caught fire forcing her to drop it in the aisle.
A witness said: “Fire and acrid smoke billowed from the bag, popping exploding noises, smoke filled the cabin around the bag.”
As the cabin exploded into chaos the emergency doors were opened and evacuation slides blown up.
One of the travellers suffered a friction burn from the slide but no other injuries were reported.
They were all allowed to return to the aircraft to collect their belongings before catching a different flight later in the evening.
One source told The Sun: “It was a dramatic scene but staff kept their cool and everyone was so grateful the fire didn’t break out at 30,000ft. That doesn’t bear thinking about.”
Executives offered support to traumatised airline staff – highlighting the seriousness of the incident.
Bart Prudon, EasyJet director of flight operations, told staff the evacuation was caused by an “electrical fire in a customer’s cabin bag”.
In a letter to staff he said: “Our crew immediately followed procedure, which included evacuating the aircraft, using extinguishers, and called the airport fire services.
“Medical services were made available to both our customers and our crew.”
He added: “I want to say thank you to our crew who responded so quickly and everyone who supported the operation during this incident.
“We understand events such as these can have an impact on our colleagues and we are here to support you too should you need it.”
An airline spokesperson told The Sun: “EasyJet can confirm that flight EZY8216 from Heraklion to London Gatwick was evacuated during boarding prior to departure on 17 September, due to a fire in a passenger’s cabin bag.
“Fire services attended the aircraft and cabin crew evacuated the aircraft in line with procedures.
“Customers were looked after in the terminal while a replacement aircraft and crew were arranged to fly customers home later the same day.
“Safety is our highest priority.”