CITIZENS COMPASS— Luck came the way of 248 passengers who narrowly escaped death after a Qatar Airways aircraft made an emergency landing in Lagos State.
The emergency was recorded in the late hours of Friday when the aircraft developed a technical fault mid-air.
It landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja area of the State.
The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency(LASEMA), Dr Oluwafemi Oke-Osanyintolu, confirmed the incident on Saturday, in his updates.
He said that the aircraft was fully loaded with 248 passengers and 12 crew members as of the time of the incident.
According to him: “Following distress alerts received on its 767/112 Toll Free Emergency Lines, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, activated the State’s Emergency Response Plans from its Command and Control Centre, Alausa, Ikeja.
Upon arrival of LRT at the incident scene, it was discovered that a passenger aircraft was distressed and had conducted a forced landing at the aforementioned location.
Preliminary investigations conducted by the Agency’s Response Teams revealed the immediate cause of the incident was due to technical issues suffered by the distressed aircraft.
The passenger aircraft (Operator’s name withheld), laden to capacity with 248 passengers and 12 crew members, suffered technical fault while airborne in Nigerian air space, leading to the emergency landing in Lagos.
The pilot executed a safe landing on the runway at Muritala Mohammed International Airport with LASEMA Response Team and other emergency responders standing-by on extreme high alert on the runway.”
Osanyintolu said the collaborative efforts of the multi-agency responders were coordinated. “After proper check by the pilot and the engineering crew, the aircraft was moved to the apron for detailed inspection and prompt repairs.
“All passengers of the distressed aeroplane were evacuated safely; no injuries reported.
“No loss of lives nor injuries sustained by anyone due to the operation.
“In spite of the technical issues and forced landing, the incident did not result in any significant damage to the aircraft.
“The aircraft has been secured on the apron.
“Recovery activities have been completed.
“LASEMA Response Team (LRT) has safely concluded the rescue operation.
