IndiGo Bengaluru-Chennai flight evacuated after smoke detected during taxi, airline responds

An IndiGo flight scheduled to operate from Bengaluru to Chennai was evacuated on Tuesday after smoke was detected in the aircraft as it taxied towards the runway for departure. The accident involved flight 6E 6017 and the evacuation was carried out immediately.

In a statement, an IndiGo spokesperson said that all passengers and crew members are safe and have been returned to the station.

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

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“All customers and cabin crew are safe and have been transported to the terminal, where they are being taken care of by our teams to ensure their safety. An alternative aircraft has been arranged to operate the flight that will depart soon and refreshments are being provided to customers to ease their waiting time. At IndiGo, the safety of our customers and crew remains our top priority,” the IndiGo spokesperson further added.

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In an order dated May 22, the DGCA said the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) has issued standard operating procedures for health preparedness in view of the outbreak. The order noted that countries bordering the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, including South Sudan, “have been assessed as being at high risk of disease transmission.”