At least 260 passengers and crew members narrowly avoided disaster on Friday when a Qatar Airways flight from Lagos to Doha was compelled to make an emergency return to Lagos after developing a technical fault mid-air.
The aircraft, Qatar Airways flight QR 1406, turned back shortly after take-off, sparking panic among those onboard and prompting the swift deployment of emergency responders at Murtala Mohammed International Airport.
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) later confirmed the incident, describing it as a near-mishap that was swiftly 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 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 Center in Alausa, Ikeja, while response teams were swiftly deployed to the airport.
Emergency officials confirmed on Friday that a passenger aircraft was in distress and carried out an emergency landing at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos.
According to preliminary findings by LASEMA response teams, the incident was triggered by a technical fault while the aircraft was airborne within Nigerian airspace.
The plane, carrying 248 passengers and 12 crew members, touched down safely and was later moved to the apron for inspection.
LASEMA reported that all passengers were evacuated without injury and that the aircraft sustained no significant damage.
Qatar Airways, in a separate statement, confirmed the incident and explained that the cockpit crew adhered to established safety procedures to ensure a safe landing. The airline noted that all passengers disembarked safely and were being assisted on the ground, with arrangements underway to rebook them on alternative flights.
Reaffirming its commitment to passenger and crew safety, Qatar Airways apologized for the inconvenience caused by the disruption.
