Passenger dies on Kenya Airways flight minutes before Lagos landing

A passenger on a Kenya Airways flight from Nairobi to Lagos has died after suffering a medical emergency about 20 minutes before the aircraft landed in Nigeria.

Kenya Airways confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Wednesday, saying the passenger became unresponsive at about 9:20 p.m. Nigerian time on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, while the aircraft was approaching Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

The aircraft landed at about 9:41 p.m., after which medical personnel boarded the plane to attend to the passenger.

The medical team, however, confirmed that the passenger had died.

“Kenya Airways PLC confirms that on Tuesday, 06 October 2026, our flight from Nairobi to Lagos experienced a medical emergency on board at around 21:20 hrs local Nigerian time,” the airline said.

“One of our passengers was found to be unresponsive approximately 20 minutes before landing in Lagos,” it added.

Kenya Airways expressed condolences to the passenger’s family and friends and apologised for any inconvenience caused by the incident.

“We convey our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased and apologise for any inconvenience this incident may have caused. We uphold and respect the privacy and dignity of all involved,” the airline said.

The airline said it is working with the passenger’s family, local authorities and aviation regulators to provide necessary support and facilitate the required procedures following the death.