No fewer than 248 passengers were spared from disaster on Friday night after a Qatar Airways aircraft developed a technical fault mid-flight and was forced to make an emergency landing at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos. The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) confirmed that the plane, carrying 248 passengers and 12 crew members, encountered the fault while flying within Nigerian airspace, prompting distress alerts and the activation of emergency protocols.
According to a preliminary report, LASEMA received the distress call through its 767/112 emergency lines and immediately deployed its state emergency response plan. Emergency landings are typically carried out when unexpected technical problems occur during a flight, with pilots alerting the control tower to guide the aircraft to safety.
The report, signed by LASEMA’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, stated that following the distress alerts received at the Command and Control Centre in Alausa, Ikeja, the agency promptly mobilised all necessary emergency teams. He assured the public that the agency remained fully prepared to handle emergencies, adding that the swift and coordinated response helped prevent what could have been a serious aviation incident.Eyewitnesses at the airport described tense moments as emergency personnel lined the runway, while passengers onboard braced for the unscheduled landing.
LASEMA explained that when its Lagos Response Team arrived, the aircraft had already made a forced landing due to the technical problem. Preliminary findings indicated that the incident was caused by mechanical issues affecting the aircraft mid-air. The agency commended the pilot for his professionalism, noting that he successfully landed the plane safely while emergency teams remained on high alert.
After touchdown, the aircraft was inspected by the pilot and engineering crew before being moved to the apron for further checks and repairs. All passengers were evacuated safely, and no injuries were recorded.LASEMA confirmed that there were no casualties and no major damage to the aircraft.Providing an update, the agency said the aircraft had been secured on the apron, recovery operations completed, and the rescue exercise officially concluded.Emergency responders involved in the operation included LASEMA’s Command and Control Centre, LASAMBUS, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria.
The spokesperson of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, Michael Achimugu, also confirmed the incident, stating in a WhatsApp message that there had been an air return and that further details would be released later.As of the time of filing this report, the airline had not responded to enquiries sent to its country manager, Ken Chirchir.
Source: https://theeagleonline.com.ng/
