International Flight Makes Emergency Landing After Passenger's Luggage Catches Fire

An Air China passenger flight was forced to make an emergency landing Saturday after a lithium battery "spontaneously ignited" inside a passenger's luggage.

Flight CA139, which had left Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport in Hangzhou, China on its way to Incheon International Airport, near Seoul, South Korea, had to be diverted to Shanghai due to the emergency.

"A lithium battery spontaneously ignited in a passenger's carry-on luggage stored in the overhead bin on flight CA139," Air China said in a statement on social media, via France 24.

"The crew immediately handled the situation according to procedures, and no one was injured."

Video shared by NBC News shows orange flames and thick smoke coming out of an overhead compartment and infiltrating the cabin. The flight crew responded quickly after terrified passengers yelled for assistance.

According to the New York Post, the diverted flight landed safely in Shanghai around 11 a.m., and a replacement plane later transported the passengers to Seoul.

Lithium batteries have caused issues before

Back in June, China banned any uncertified or recalled power banks from being brought on domestic flights.

The move was made after several lithium battery-related incidents, including aboard flights in China and South Korea.

In America, earlier this year, the TSA and FAA announced a ban on lithium batteries in checked bags, saying that they must instead be stored in carry-on luggage.

The reason for the ban was because “all lithium-ion batteries are capable of overheating” due to a process known as thermal runaway.

“Thermal runaway can occur without warning as a result of various factors, including if the battery is damaged, overheated, exposed to water, overcharged, or improperly packed. Thermal runaway can also occur on its own due to manufacturing defects,” the FAA wrote in its announcement.

Lithium batteries with 100 watt hours or less are allowed in carry-on baggage.

"Spare (uninstalled) lithium ion and lithium metal batteries, including power banks and cell phone battery charging cases, must be carried in carry-on baggage only," TSA said. "Lithium metal (non-rechargeable) batteries are limited to 2 grams of lithium per battery. Lithium ion (rechargeable) batteries are limited to a rating of 100 watt hours (Wh) per battery. These limits allow for nearly all types of lithium batteries used by the average person in their electronic devices."