260 Escape Death as Qatar Airways Plane Makes Emergency Return to Lagos
No fewer than 260 passengers and crew members narrowly escaped death on Friday when a Qatar Airways aircraft operating from Lagos to Doha made an emergency return to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, following a technical fault 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 immediate mobilisation of emergency responders at the airport.
Confirming the incident, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) described it as a near-air mishap that was promptly and professionally managed. The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) also confirmed the emergency landing, assuring that no injuries or fatalities were recorded.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, said the agency activated the state’s emergency response mechanism immediately after receiving distress alerts through 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.
According to him, preliminary investigations by LASEMA’s response teams revealed that the incident was caused by a technical fault encountered 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 and 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 stated.
In a separate statement, Qatar Airways confirmed the incident, noting that the cockpit crew adhered strictly to 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 reiterated that the safety of its passengers and crew remains its highest priority and apologised for any inconvenience caused by the incident.
EDITOR
Sam Udekwe is a journalist working in the News and Current Affairs department, Enugu State Broadcasting Service (ESBS) Enugu. He is well trained in all genres of journalistic venture.
Mr Sam read Mass Communication, graduating all with Distinction in National Diploma, Higher National Diploma and Postgraduate Diploma at IMT, Enugu and Madonna University, Okija, Anambra state, as well as M.Sc Mass Communication with Second Class(Upper Division) at National Open University of Nigeria.
He is the immediate past NUJ Chairman, Enugu state.
samowailo@gmail.com
