A KLM Boeing 777-200 was enroute at FL390 about 100nm northwest of Phuket (Thailand) when the crew decided to divert to Phuket due to a passenger’s mobile phone overheating and emitting a lot of smoke. The aircraft landed safely in Phuket about 20 minutes later.

The airline reported: “Flight KL 809 from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur made a stopover in Phuket, Thailand. Smoke accumulated in the cabin when a passenger’s mobile phone overheated.

The crew handled the situation well and the captain opted to land the aircraft as a precautionary measure.

The aircraft landed safely and at no time were passengers or crew in danger. A safety check has since been carried out in the cabin and the aircraft has been released for departure. Owing to compulsory crew work and rest times, the flight to Kuala Lumpur cannot continue immediately and passengers and crew are being accommodated in hotels in Phuket.

As a result, the flight has incurred an 18-hour delay. The onward flight to Kuala Lumpur-Jakarta- Kuala Lumpur has been cancelled. KLM regrets the inconvenience this is causing our passengers.”