Taipei MRT passenger's power bank fills train with smoke

台北捷運乘客行動電源導致車廂煙霧瀰漫

Defective power bank causes panic after overheating, no serious damage reported


TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A passenger on the Taipei MRT accidentally caused panic on Saturday (April 20) when their mobile power bank overheated and filled a train carriage with smoke.

The incident occurred as a train was approaching Songjiang-Nanjing Station on the Orange Line. Approximately 750 people were asked to rapidly exit the train as it pulled into the station just before 5:30 p.m. on a train bound for Huilong Station, reported TVBS.

One person took a picture of the smoke-filled car and posted the image online, per reports. Witnesses said the mobile power bank also caused flames to ignite.

Passengers were worried that a fire or explosive caused the smoke, but a quick investigation by MRT staff discovered that a defective power bank was the cause.

Reports indicate that other passengers on the MRT quickly responded with appropriate action by grabbing a fire extinguisher to extinguish the flames as the train came to a stop.

The situation was dealt with in less than four minutes. After passengers boarded the subsequent trains, things were operating smoothly with no major disruptions.