EasyJet panic as ‘bag of vapes’ explodes on London-bound flight – before fleeing passenger is ‘hurt on evacuation slide’

PANIC broke out on a packed EasyJet flight heading to London after a bag with a vape inside exploded.

The blast sent terrified passengers fleeing from a plane at Heraklion airport in Crete – with one even getting injured from the evacuation slide.

The massive explosion happened shortly before take-off

The explosion forced the evacuation of the flight

The bag contained a power bank and a vape

The emergency evacuation was sparked after a bag containing a power bank and e-cigarettes exploded shortly before take-off.

Passengers described “a very large red flash and flame followed by thick black smoke” as they fled the plane through evacuation slides.

A passenger told MailOnline they heard someone asking “What is that what is that” moments before the explosion occurred.

Passengers were “screaming bomb and clattering to get out” with some saying a “lady with a vape in her bum bag was waving it around as smoke started to come out”.

A witness described a British woman holding the bag tried to leave the plane asking people to get out of the way.

But her bag caught fire forcing her to drop it in the aisle.

A witness said: “Fire and acrid smoke billowed from the bag, popping exploding noises, smoke filled the cabin around the bag.”

The doors of the plane opened and evacuation slides were activated.

Passengers were allowed to return to the aircraft to collect their belongings.

No injuries were reported except one passenger who suffered a friction burn from the slide.

The flight that was scheduled to fly to London Gatwick was cancelled.

The 236 passengers took a different flight in the evening.