No fewer than 248 passengers narrowly escaped death on Friday night after a Qatar Airways aircraft developed a technical fault mid-air and was forced to make an emergency landing at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency confirmed that the aircraft, which was fully loaded with 248 passengers and 12 crew members, encountered the problem while airborne within Nigerian airspace, triggering distress alerts and an immediate emergency response.

According to a preliminary report by LASEMA, obtained by PUNCH Online, the agency said it activated the state’s emergency response plan immediately upon receiving the distress call through its 767/112 toll-free emergency lines.

Emergency landings are initiated when unplanned faults occur mid-flight. Through pilots’ distress signals to the control tower, such aircraft are guided to make a safe landing.

The report, which was signed by the Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, stated that, “Following distress alerts received at the Command and Control Centre in Alausa, Ikeja, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency promptly activated the State’s Emergency Response Plans.”

The Permanent Secretary reassured the public of the agency’s readiness to respond to emergencies, noting that the swift, coordinated response helped avert what could have been a major aviation disaster.

Eyewitnesses at the airport described tense moments as emergency responders lined the runway, while passengers on board braced for an unexpected landing.

LASEMA explained that upon arrival at the scene, its Lagos Response Team discovered that the aircraft had already conducted a forced landing due to technical issues.

The report noted, “Preliminary investigations revealed that the immediate cause of the incident was technical issues suffered by the distressed aircraft.”

The agency, however, commended the pilot for his professionalism, successfully bringing the aircraft down safely while emergency teams stood by on “extreme high alert.”

“The pilot executed a safe landing on the runway at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport with LASEMA response teams and other emergency responders on standby,” the agency stated.

After landing, the aircraft was thoroughly checked by the pilot and engineering crew before being moved to the apron for detailed inspection and necessary repairs. All passengers were safely evacuated, with no injuries recorded.

“All passengers of the distressed aircraft were evacuated safely, and no casualties were reported,” LASEMA confirmed.

The agency further said that despite the frightening incident, there was no significant damage to the aircraft.

Providing an update on the situation, LASEMA disclosed that the aircraft has since been secured and recovery operations concluded.

“The aircraft has been secured on the apron, recovery activities have been completed, and the rescue operation has been safely concluded,” the statement read.

LASEMA added that emergency responders at the scene included LASEMA’s Command and Control Centre, LASAMBUS, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria.

Also contacted, the spokesperson of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, Michael Achimugu, confirmed the incident.

In a WhatsApp message, he said, “I can confirm that there was an air return. Details will be communicated later.”

However, the airline had yet to respond to a message of enquiry sent to the country manager of the airline, Ken Chirchir, as of the time of filing this report. (Saturday PUNCH, excluding headline)

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