Nosa Osula Aituamen
A United Airlines flight from Lagos to Washington D.C. made an emergency landing at Murtala Mohammed International Airport today following a mid-air technical issue.
Flight UA613, a Boeing 787-8 carrying 245 passengers, eight flight attendants, and three pilots, experienced the technical issue while flying over Ivorian airspace.
The aircraft subsequently returned to Lagos, where it landed safely.
Upon landing, emergency responders met the aircraft to address reports of minor injuries to several passengers and crew members.
Initial investigations indicate that multiple passengers sustained varying degrees of injuries.
The airline is cooperating fully with authorities to determine the cause of the incident.
United Airlines is working to accommodate passengers on alternative flights to their final destinations.
The airline has expressed its commitment to the safety and well-being of all passengers and crew members.
According to FAAN in a statement by the Director Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mrs Obiageli Orah, the team of Aerodrome Rescue and Fire Fighting Services (ARFFS), Aviation Medical and, Aviation Security (AVSEC) were already at the gate when the aeroplane parked for deboarding at D31 without incident, and the door was opened at 03:37.
She said, while all passengers and crew disembarked safely, four passengers and two crew members sustained serious injuries, and an additional 27 passengers and five crew members had minor injuries.
The rescue team responded swiftly and effectively, having been on alert and standby just four minutes after the pilot reported distress at 01:20.
According to her, Aviation Medical ambulances transported the injured passengers—some to the MMA Clinic and others to the Headquarters Clinic.
Those with minor injuries received first aid and were discharged immediately, while those with serious injuries were stabilised and transferred to the Duchess Hospital in Ikeja.
While some passengers were also taken to a hotel for accommodation. The aircraft itself did not sustain any major damage.