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A Qatar Airways aircraft carrying 248 passengers and 12 crew members made an emergency landing at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on Friday night after developing a technical fault mid-air, Nigerian emergency officials said.
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) confirmed that the aircraft encountered the problem while flying within Nigerian airspace, lead to distress alerts and an immediate emergency response.
According to the agency, it immediately deployed emergency teams after receiving the alert through its 767/112 toll-free emergency lines, with responders placed on high alert ahead of the aircraft’s arrival.
LASEMA said emergency landings are required when unexpected technical faults occur during flight and that the pilot was guided by air traffic control to land safely in Lagos.
The report, signed by LASEMA’s Permanent Secretary, Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, said emergency teams were deployed immediately after alerts were received at the agency’s Command and Control Centre in Alausa, Ikeja.
Upon arrival at the airport, LASEMA’s Lagos Response Team confirmed that the aircraft had already carried out a forced landing due to technical issues.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the immediate cause of the incident was technical issues suffered by the distressed aircraft,” the report stated.
The agency, however, praised the pilot for his professionalism, successfully bringing the aircraft down safely while emergency teams stood by on “extreme high alert.”
After landing, the aircraft was inspected by the pilot and engineering crew before being moved to the apron for further checks.
LASEMA said all passengers were safely evacuated and no injuries or casualties were recorded.
The agency added that there was no significant damage to the aircraft and that recovery operations have been completed, with the aircraft now secured.
“The aircraft has been secured on the apron, recovery activities have been completed, and the rescue operation has been safely concluded,” the statement read.
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 (FAAN).
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) spokesperson, Michael Achimugu, also confirmed the incident, saying, “I can confirm that there was an air return. Details will be communicated later.”
