More than 240 passengers and crew have narrowly avoided disaster after a Qatar Airways flight was forced to make an emergency landing at Nigeria’s busiest airport.
The aircraft, carrying 248 passengers and 12 crew members, developed a technical fault shortly after entering Nigerian airspace on Friday night. The pilot issued a distress signal to the control tower, triggering an immediate “high alert” response on the ground at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.
Emergency responders, including the Lagos State Fire Service and airport authorities, lined the runway as the aircraft prepared for an unplanned descent.
‘Extreme high alert’
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) confirmed that its “State Emergency Response Plan” was activated immediately upon receiving the distress call.
“The pilot executed a safe landing on the runway… with response teams on standby,” said Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, Permanent Secretary of LASEMA. He praised the pilot’s professionalism in bringing the “fully loaded” aircraft down without injury to those on board.
No casualties reported
Witnesses at the airport described a tense atmosphere as the plane approached the tarmac. Once the aircraft came to a halt, emergency teams confirmed:
- All 260 people on board were evacuated safely.
- No injuries were recorded among passengers or crew.
- The aircraft suffered no significant structural damage during the landing.
The plane was later moved to a secure apron for a detailed inspection by engineering teams to determine the exact nature of the technical failure.
Aviation authorities investigate
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) confirmed the incident, describing it as an “air return.” Spokesman Michael Achimugu stated that further details would be released following a preliminary investigation.
While the specific technical issue has not been disclosed, LASEMA officials noted that the swift coordination between the cockpit and ground control prevented a “major aviation disaster.”
Qatar Airways has not yet issued a formal statement regarding the cause of the fault or the status of the diverted passengers.
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