A Qatar Airways aircraft carrying 248 passengers narrowly avoided a major disaster on Friday night after it 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 was fully loaded with 248 passengers and 12 crew members when the problem occurred within Nigerian airspace. The situation prompted distress alerts and the activation of emergency protocols.
In a preliminary report obtained by PUNCH Online, LASEMA stated that it immediately activated the state’s emergency response plan after receiving the distress call through its 767/112 toll-free emergency lines.
Emergency landings are usually initiated when unplanned technical faults occur during a flight. Pilots relay distress signals to the control tower, after which arrangements are made to guide the aircraft to a safe landing.
The report, signed by the Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, said, “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.”
Dr Oke-Osanyintolu assured residents of the agency’s readiness to handle emergencies. He noted that the quick and coordinated response helped prevent what could have escalated into a serious aviation incident.
Eyewitnesses at the airport recounted moments of tension as emergency personnel positioned themselves along the runway, while passengers on board prepared for the unexpected landing.
LASEMA explained that its Lagos Response Team discovered on arrival that the aircraft had already carried out a forced landing due to technical challenges.
According to the report, “Preliminary investigations revealed that the immediate cause of the incident was technical issues suffered by the distressed aircraft.”
Despite the fault, the agency praised the pilot for his professionalism, which ensured a safe landing as emergency teams remained 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 touchdown, the pilot and engineering crew conducted checks on the aircraft before it was moved to the apron for further inspection and repairs. All passengers were safely evacuated, and no injuries were recorded.
“All passengers of the distressed aircraft were evacuated safely, and no casualties were reported,” LASEMA confirmed.
The agency added that the aircraft did not sustain any significant damage despite the incident.
Providing an update, LASEMA disclosed that the aircraft has since been secured and that recovery operations have been 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 noted that emergency responders involved in the operation included its Command and Control Centre, LASAMBUS, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria.
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority also confirmed the development. Its spokesperson, Michael Achimugu, said in a WhatsApp message, “I can confirm that there was an air return. Details will be communicated later.”
As of the time of filing this report, Qatar Airways had not responded to enquiries sent to its country manager, Ken Chirchir.
