Horror over the Atlantic after airline's ex-CEO allegedly ignored ban on charging power banks, triggering business class FIREBALL that forced jet to turn back

See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred Source Published: 12:41 EDT, 18 September 2026 | Updated: 13:27 EDT, 18 September 2026 A flight from the Netherlands to the Caribbean was forced to turn back over the Atlantic after the airline's ex-CEO's power bank allegedly caught fire midflight.A power bank caught fire on board a KLM Royal Dutch Airlines flight from Amsterdam to Curaçao on Thursday, the airline said in a statement to the Daily Mail. 'The crew followed the applicable procedures and extinguished the fire. Due to the situation, the decision was made to return the flight to Amsterdam,' the airline said.Flight tracking data showed the Boeing 777-300ER was soaring above the Atlantic Ocean five-and-a-half hours into its flight to the Caribbean when it turned around.An unnamed passenger told Dutch publication RTL News the power bank belonged to former KLM President and CEO Camiel Eurlings.'Suddenly, a bang was heard,' the passenger said. 'After that, there was an immediate fire; large flames were coming out above the seat. 'The bang was the power bank exploding and immediately catching fire. The cabin crew responded very quickly and appropriately, and then spoke to everyone one-on-one and reassured us.'A photo circulating on social media appears to show the business class seat window cracked and blackened after the explosion. A power bank caught fire on board a KLM Royal Dutch Airlines flight from Amsterdam to Curaçao on Thursday Passengers identified the power bank user as former KLM President and CEO Camiel EurlingsEurlings, who led the company from 2013 to 2014, reportedly sustained minor injuries from the incident.The passenger claimed she spoke with Eurlings after the incident and he was 'extremely shocked.''He feels terrible about the situation and all the inconvenience for everyone. He was very upset,' she told RTL News.However, the passenger added that it was 'incredibly stupid' for the airline's former CEO to use the power bank during the flight. 'Especially when you are supposed to be extra familiar with the rules, and yet you break them,' she said.The airline rebooked the passengers on a flight that departed Friday morning. KLM policy allows passengers to bring electronic devices with lithium batteries that are 100 watts or less on board; however, they are not allowed to use them during the flight.'One more thing about power banks: always keep yours with you. It’s not allowed to put it in the overhead bin, and using or charging it on board is also not allowed,' the company website states. The KLM flight (stock image pictured) was forced to turn around over the Atlantic and return to Amsterdam Eurlings, who led the company from 2013 to 2014, reportedly sustained minor injuries from the incident. Eurlings is pictured here on board a plane in 2013Virtually all modern power banks use lithium batteries. Lithium batteries pose a greater risk on flights because they can overheat and cause heavy smoke and fire, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.KLM would not confirm Eurlings' identity as the power bank user, stating: 'For privacy reasons, we never disclose who is on board our aircraft or who is involved in specific incidents.' Eurlings previously served on the executive branch of the Netherlands government from 2007 to 2010.In 2011, he joined Air France-KLM as executive vice president before becoming President and CEO of KLM in 2013, according to his LinkedIn.He currently works as a partner at the investment company Knighthood Global Limited. The Daily Mail has attempted to contact Eurlings for comment.