Just In: Lagos-Washington Flight Declares Emergency, Returns To Lagos

A United Airlines flight UA613, en route from Lagos to Washington, declared an emergency mid-flight and returned to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, on January 24, 2025.

The Boeing 787-8 aircraft carried 245 passengers, eight flight attendants, and three pilots.

Several passengers and crew members sustained minor injuries during the incident, which occurred over Ivory Coast airspace.

One passenger, who preferred to remain anonymous, recounted the ordeal to Vanguard: “We had already been served our meals when the plane lost pressure and dropped. We noticed a sharp descent. I hit my head on the ceiling because of the impact.

“I became unconscious, but one person from the medical team came to attend to me in the middle of the turmoil. The sharp descent happened three times, causing some people to sustain injuries. We spent four hours in the air.

“In the midst of the turmoil, the pilot said we were going to land in Ghana, but we eventually landed in Nigeria.”

Airline’s Statement

Linden Birns, a spokesperson for United Airlines, confirmed the incident, stating: “Flight UA613 from Lagos to Washington D.C. returned to Lagos to address a technical issue. After landing safely, the aircraft was met by first responders to address reports of minor injuries to several passengers and crew.”

The cause of the emergency remains under investigation. All passengers and crew disembarked safely upon landing.