Panic at 10,000 Meters ： Passengers Recount Fire Aboard Aircraft

Panic at 10,000 Meters: Passengers Recount Fire Aboard Aircraft

A mid-air emergency aboard Hong Kong Airlines flight HX115 left passengers in a state of panic and disbelief on March 20, when a fire broke out in the overhead luggage compartment—more than 10,000 meters above ground.

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According to CCTV News, the aircraft, which departed from Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport at 12:56 p.m., was forced to make an emergency landing in Fuzhou an hour later. The fire has since been extinguished, and all passengers are safe.

"Sparks Fell Onto Her Head": Firsthand Accounts of the Fire

"It felt like a movie scene," said one shaken passenger. "We were flying high when suddenly someone shouted 'Fire! Fire!'—and we saw flames bursting from the overhead compartment."

Sitting near the back of the plane, another passenger recalled the terrifying moment: "There was visible fire. A flight attendant began using a fire extinguisher, and we all pitched in by passing bottled water toward the flames. It took about 20 minutes to get it under control."

Wei, another passenger, described witnessing sparks falling onto a woman's head just before smoke erupted from the luggage rack. "It spread so fast," she said.

Desperate Measures: Bottled Water and Coca-Cola Used in Firefight

In a display of courage and teamwork, passengers worked together, passing water bottles from seat to seat to douse the flames. "Everyone cooperated," said a passenger. "When the fire extinguisher arrived, we finally managed to put it out. The three of us who sat together cried upon landing—we made it through."

In a moment of improvisation caught on video, one flight attendant even attempted to use a can of Coca-Cola in the absence of immediate firefighting tools.

The plane eventually landed safely in Fuzhou. Many then continued their journeys by train.

Source: 广州日报

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