An easyJet plane carrying 180 passengers was diverted to Rome after a power bank was found in the hold.

Flight EZY2618 jetted off from Hurghada, Egypt, to London Luton Airport on Tuesday, May 19.

But the journey soon took a turn when a traveller notified cabin crew that they had a portable charger in use in the hold of the plane.

The captain then decided to divert the flight three hours into the trip and landed safely at Rome Fiumicino 20 minutes later.

Passengers were moved to a flight to Luton the following day at 2pm and provided with overnight accommodation.

Many airlines have tightened their rules regarding power banks on planes, due to the risk of them overheating or short-circuiting, posing a fire and safety hazard on flights.

Some require the handy pieces of tech to be stored in hand luggage instead of the hold.

In this case, the power bank was charging a mobile phone in the passenger’s hold luggage.

EasyJet flight EZY2618 was diverted on its way from Egypt to London Luton after a passenger revealed they had a power bank in use in the hold

Paul Casterton, 57, who was flying with his partner Laura Bartlett, 61, told The Sun: ‘No one knew what to think. Suddenly the plane changed direction and made a descent. It was hard not to fear the worst.’

He described the situation as ‘stressful’ until the plane eventually landed and the reason for the diversion became apparent.

‘Thank goodness it wasn’t a bomb in the hold. Word spread as to the true reason we had been diverted. It was quite an ordeal, but mostly relief that everyone was OK,’ the passenger added.

A spokesperson for the airline told the Daily Mail: ‘Flight EZY2618 from Hurghada to London Luton on 19 May diverted to Rome Fiumicino and was rescheduled to operate the following morning as the crew were informed that a power bank was charging in a passenger’s luggage.

‘The captain then took the decision to divert as a precaution in line with safety regulations.

‘The aircraft landed safely and passengers disembarked routinely. We provided hotel accommodation and meals were available. We provided customers who stayed in the airport with refreshments.

‘The safety of its customers and crew is easyJet’s highest priority and easyJet operates its fleet of aircraft in strict compliance with all manufacturers’ guidelines.

‘We are sorry for any inconvenience caused by the diversion and subsequent delay.’

The plane landed at Rome Fiumicino and passengers were moved to a flight to Luton the following day at 2pm

EasyJet’s website outlines the airline’s restrictions regarding power banks and states the devices ‘are accepted on easyJet aircraft with a Wh rating not exceeding 160Wh for lithium batteries’.

They are permitted in cabin baggage, but not the hold, and ‘are prohibited from use on easyJet aircraft and must not be used to charge other devices’.

‘Power banks must be individually protected i.e. placing in original retail packaging or a plastic bag,’ the regulation states.

Customers are limited to carrying up to two each. The airline outlines, ‘Power banks must be carried in carry-on baggage only and it is recommended that power banks are carried where they can be monitored i.e. on your person.’

Plenty of carriers have tightened their restrictions around the use of power banks due to their possible safety risks.

Earlier this year, Lufthansa became the first European airline to ban the use of power banks on flights.

The German carrier previously allowed passengers to use them on board, but after a spate of incidents the policy has now changed.

Power banks have caused issues on several flights and one caught fire on an Air China A321 Airbus last year after it overheated.

Crew members managed to put the flames out and there were no reported injuries, but it isn’t the only time a portable charger has set alight.

Another overheated on a KLM plane in August travelling from Sao Paulo to Amsterdam.

Many airlines have tightened their rules regarding power banks on planes, due to to the risk of them overheating or short-circuiting, posing a fire and safety hazard on flights

Again, crew members put out the flames but the repeated issues have caused airlines to adjust their policies.

Lufthansa passengers are able to bring the tech in their cabin luggage, but they aren’t allowed to charge their devices with them on board.

They are banned from being carried in checked luggage, too.

In the cabin, power banks must be stored in hand luggage under the seat or kept on the person. They are no longer permitted to be stowed in the overhead compartments.

‘Personal electronic devices and batteries are classed as dangerous goods. This is because, if damaged, they can generate heat, short-circuit and start a fire,’ the airline states on its website.

Transport approval is required for power banks above 100Wh and only two are allowed per person.

‘Charging and using power banks is prohibited. An exception is made for use with approved medical devices,’ the regulation reads.

It continues, ‘Power banks must not be stowed in the overhead locker above the seats.

‘For safety reasons, please store your power banks under the seat in front of you or in its seat pocket, on your person or in your hand luggage.’

Lufthansa adds, ‘Protect your power bank against damage and short-circuiting by using the original packaging, for example.’

British Airways insists power banks that exceed 100Wh are not permitted and asks passengers to store them in their carry-on bag under the seat in front of them, or in the seat pocket.

Passengers are not allowed to charge power banks using plug sockets on British Airways’ planes, either.

Ryanair states power banks must not exceed 100Wh and are only allowed in cabin baggage, not checked.

They must also ‘not be used to charge or power other portable electronic devices during taxi, take-off or landing’ and ‘not be placed in the cabin baggage loaded in the overhead storage locker’.

The airline asks that passengers place them under the seat in front of the passenger or kept ‘on your person’.