Qatar Airways flight makes emergency landing in Lagos

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

The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) confirmed that the fully loaded plane, carrying 248 passengers and 12 crew members, encountered the problem while in Nigerian airspace, prompting distress signals and an immediate emergency response.

According to a preliminary report by LASEMA, the agency activated its emergency response plan as soon as the distress alert was received through its 767/112 toll-free emergency lines.

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

Eyewitnesses at the airport described tense moments as emergency personnel lined the runway while passengers on board braced for an unexpected landing. LASEMA noted that the aircraft successfully executed a forced landing, thanks to the pilot’s professionalism, while emergency teams remained on high alert.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that the immediate cause of the incident was technical issues suffered by the aircraft,” the report said. “The pilot executed a safe landing on the runway at Murtala Muhammed International Airport with LASEMA and other emergency responders on standby.”

Following the landing, the plane was checked by the pilot and engineering crew before being moved to the apron for a detailed inspection. All passengers were safely evacuated, and no injuries were reported.

“All passengers of the distressed aircraft were evacuated safely, and no casualties were recorded,” LASEMA confirmed, adding that there was no significant damage to the aircraft.

The agency further stated that recovery operations were completed, and the aircraft has since been secured on the apron. 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.

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) also confirmed the incident. Its spokesperson, Michael Achimugu, said via WhatsApp, “I can confirm that there was an air return. Details will be communicated later.”

The airline had not responded to enquiries sent to its country manager, Ken Chirchir, at the time of filing this report.