Most people have probably seen recent news that power banks without 3C certification are no longer allowed on planes in China. However, a man recently argued with security staff during screening at an airport over this issue—eventually leading to the power bank exploding and catching fire inside the airport.

Incident Details:

On July 16, 2025, at the security checkpoint of Terminal 3 at Wuhan Tianhe International Airport in Hubei Province, a male passenger was stopped by security officers for carrying a power bank that lacked the required 3C certification label. The officer informed him that the power bank could not be brought on board. The passenger began to argue with the staff, became emotionally unstable, and angrily smashed the power bank onto the ground. The device immediately emitted smoke and caught fire. Surveillance footage showed that after the power bank hit the ground, it started releasing thick smoke and then exploded.

After the incident, security personnel promptly evacuated nearby travelers, shut down the checkpoint, and placed the burning power bank into a fire safety bucket to extinguish the flames. Fortunately, no one was injured in the incident.

The passenger’s behavior constituted “disturbing public order.” Airport police imposed a five-day administrative detention under the Public Security Administration Punishments Law. According to relevant regulations, deliberately disrupting order in public places (such as airports) and causing serious consequences may result in five to ten days of detention.

Since June 28, 2025, the Civil Aviation Administration of China has strictly prohibited passengers from carrying power banks without 3C certification, with unclear labels, or from recalled batches on domestic flights. Power banks with substandard lithium cells that lack 3C certification are prone to short circuits and thermal runaway when subjected to impact or external force, and may explode within three minutes—scattering debris across several meters. In an aircraft environment where turbulence and collisions are common, uncertified power banks pose serious safety hazards. It’s reported that in the first half of 2025 alone, there were at least 15 incidents of power bank fires at airports or on flights in China, including a smoke incident aboard Shanghai Airlines flight FM9449.

Police Reminder:

Travelers should familiarize themselves with aviation safety regulations in advance and cooperate calmly with security checks to avoid impulsive behavior. Passengers must ensure that any power banks they carry have valid 3C certification and do not exceed a rated energy of 100 Wh. Devices that are swollen, damaged, or recalled should not be brought on board. During flights, the use or charging of power banks is strictly prohibited—input power should be turned off, and any squeezing or dropping of the device that could lead to danger should be avoided.