EasyJet plane descends into panic after 'bag of vapes' explodes

Passengers told of 'popping noises and smoke' as an EasyJet plane descended into panic today after a bag with a vape inside exploded on the London-bound flight.

An emergency evacuation took place on a runway in Greece when an explosion took place in Heraklion, on an aircraft scheduled to fly to London Gatwick.

A power bank and e-cigarettes in a passenger's bag are thought to be the cause of the explosion which occurred shortly before take-off.

The doors of the plane opened and evacuation slides were activated, with passengers describing 'a very large red flash and flame followed by thick black smoke'.

Passengers were safely off the plane within 'minutes' but the flight to London was cancelled.

Instead, the 236 travellers - reportedly including two children - were forced to take another plane this evening.

A passenger told MailOnline they heard someone asking 'what is that what is that' as she took her seat, seconds before the explosion occurred.

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

One said the woman with the bag was British and tried to leave the plane, asking people to get out of the way.

But as her bag caught fire, she dropped it in the aisle as people were still trying to take their seats.

'Fire and acrid smoke billowed from the bag, popping exploding noises, smoke filled the cabin around the bag,' an eyewitness said.

There was a fire scorch mark left on floor, but travellers were later allowed back on plane to collect belongings.

MailOnline understands no customers suffered burn injuries from the explosion, but one passenger suffered a friction burn from the evacuation slide. 

'EasyJet have kept us up to date with the replacement flight, which we are boarding now, they gave us a voucher to get food,' another said.

'All the staff have been very helpful and it was as painless as it could be given the circumstances.'

Police forces rushed to the scene to investigate the incident.

A spokesperson told MailOnline: 'easyJet can confirm that flight EZY8216 from Heraklion to London Gatwick was evacuated during boarding prior to departure, due to a fire in a passenger's cabin bag. 

'Fire services attended the aircraft and cabin crew evacuated the aircraft in line with procedures.

'Customers are currently being looked after in the terminal and a replacement aircraft and crew have been arranged to fly customers home later today. Safety is our highest priority.'