An airline passenger was seriously injured when an e-cigarette caught fire mid-flight

• An Air France passenger was seriously injured after an e-cigarette caught fire mid-air.

• France's air safety body said it was investigating the incident on the Paris-bound flight.

• E-cigarettes are allowed in carry-on luggage but not hold baggage because they pose a fire risk.

A passenger was seriously injured on an Air France flight when an e-cigarette caught fire mid-flight, authorities said.

France's aviation authority, the Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety, said on Thursday it had opened an investigation into an incident on board a November 2 Air France flight from Malaga, Spain to Paris, France.

The bureau said one person had been seriously injured after an e-cigarette caused a lithium battery fire as the plane was coming in to land. Cabin crew was able to extinguish the fire using a "dedicated kit."

It is unclear whether the passenger who suffered the injury was also the owner of the e-cigarette, or the extent of the individual's injuries.