An IndiGo flight bound for Chennai was forced to carry out an emergency evacuation at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport on Tuesday evening after smoke was detected inside the aircraft while it was taxiing for take-off. More than 230 passengers and crew members were safely evacuated, though two passengers sustained minor injuries during the emergency procedure.
According to airline officials, the incident involved IndiGo flight 6E 6017, operated by an Airbus A321 aircraft. The flight had pushed back from the bay and was taxiing towards the runway when smoke was noticed inside the cabin. Aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) later said that smoke was observed in both the cockpit and the cabin, prompting the crew to initiate emergency safety protocols.
The flight crew acted swiftly and ordered an immediate evacuation of all passengers using the aircraft’s emergency escape slides. Airport emergency services and ground staff responded promptly, assisting passengers as they exited the aircraft. During the evacuation process, two passengers suffered minor injuries. Authorities said the injuries were not serious, and those affected received medical attention.
In a statement, IndiGo confirmed that smoke had been detected while the aircraft was preparing for departure and said that the evacuation was carried out purely as a precautionary measure in the interest of passenger safety. The airline added that all passengers and crew members were safely moved to the terminal building, where assistance and support were provided by airline personnel.
Following the incident, the aircraft was grounded for a detailed technical inspection. DGCA officials have launched an investigation to determine the source of the smoke and assess whether there were any mechanical or operational issues that led to the emergency. The regulator stated that the aircraft will remain out of service until inspection and necessary rectification work are completed.
To minimise inconvenience to travellers, IndiGo arranged an alternate aircraft to operate the Bengaluru-Chennai service. While the smoke scare caused temporary disruption and anxiety among passengers, aviation authorities emphasized that emergency procedures functioned as intended and helped ensure the safe evacuation of everyone on board. The investigation into the incident is ongoing, and a detailed report is expected after technical examinations are completed.
