260 escape death as plane makes emergency return in Lagos

NO fewer than 260 passengers and crew escaped death on Friday when a Qatar Airways flight operating from Lagos to Doha made an emergency return to Lagos following a technical issue mid-air.

The aircraft, identified as Qatar Airways flight QR 1406, was forced to turn back shortly after take-off, triggering panic among passengers and prompting the rapid mobilisation of emergency responders at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos.

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) confirmed the incident, describing it as a near-air mishap that was promptly and professionally handled.

The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) also confirmed the emergency landing, assuring that no injuries or fatalities were recorded.

READ ALSO: How bird strike forced Air Peace plane to abort Abuja/Lagos bound flight

In a statement issued on Saturday, the Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, said the agency activated the state’s emergency response plans immediately after receiving distress alerts via its 767/112 toll-free emergency lines.

He explained that emergency operations were coordinated from LASEMA’s Command and Control Centre in Alausa, Ikeja, while response teams were swiftly deployed to the airport.

“Upon arrival at the scene, it was discovered that a passenger aircraft was distressed and had conducted an emergency landing,” Oke-Osanyintolu said.

Preliminary investigations by LASEMA’s response teams revealed that the incident was caused by a technical fault experienced by the aircraft while airborne within Nigerian airspace.

The aircraft, which was fully loaded with 248 passengers and 12 crew members, landed safely on the runway at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport. It was subsequently moved to the apron for further inspection.

“All passengers were safely evacuated, no injuries were recorded, and the incident did not result in any significant damage to the aircraft,” LASEMA added.

In a separate statement, Qatar Airways confirmed the incident, noting that the cockpit crew followed established safety procedures to ensure a safe landing.

“The cockpit crew followed established procedures and landed the aircraft safely. All passengers disembarked safely and are being taken care of on the ground. They will be booked on the next suitable flights to reach their destination as soon as possible,” the airline said.

Qatar Airways emphasised that the safety of its passengers and crew remains its highest priority, while apologising for any inconvenience caused by the incident.