IndiGo A321neo Evacuated Before Takeoff Following Smoke Detection

More than 230 passengers and crew aboard an IndiGo flight bound for Chennai were evacuated at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport on Tuesday evening after smoke was detected inside the aircraft during taxiing, triggering panic onboard and prompting an investigation by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) .

The incident involved IndiGo flight 6E 6017 , operated by an Airbus A321neo aircraft registered as VT-IME . According to the DGCA, the aircraft had pushed back from the bay and begun moving toward the runway when smoke was noticed in both the cockpit and passenger cabin .

In aviation, “taxiing” refers to an aircraft moving on the ground under its own power between the terminal gate and the runway before takeoff. The flight had not yet departed when the smoke alert was raised.

The crew immediately initiated an emergency evacuation , deploying all escape slides as passengers rushed out of the aircraft onto the tarmac. Officials confirmed that two passengers suffered minor injuries during the evacuation process.

Passengers later described scenes of confusion and panic inside the aircraft. One traveller said “everybody started shouting” moments after smoke spread through parts of the cabin. Videos circulating on social media showed passengers sliding down emergency chutes while airport emergency teams responded to the aircraft.

In an official statement, IndiGo said the evacuation was carried out purely as a precautionary safety measure.

“On 26 May 2026, while IndiGo flight 6E 6017 from Bengaluru to Chennai was taxiing out to the runway for departure, smoke was noticed in the aircraft. In the interest of safety, an immediate evacuation was carried out and all relevant authorities were informed,” the airline said.

The carrier added that all passengers and crew members were safely shifted to the terminal, where assistance and refreshments were provided. An alternate aircraft was later arranged to operate the Bengaluru–Chennai service.

The DGCA has since grounded the aircraft for inspection and launched a formal investigation into the source of the smoke. Investigators are expected to examine the aircraft’s electrical systems, cockpit equipment, ventilation mechanisms and onboard wiring.

The incident comes amid heightened scrutiny of aviation safety and operational reliability as India’s aviation sector continues to expand rapidly.