A technical fault on Friday forced a Qatar Airways aircraft carrying 248 passengers and 12 crew members to make an emergency landing at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos.
In a statement, Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, permanent secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), said the aircraft developed a fault while in flight within Nigerian airspace.
According to a preliminary report by LASEMA, the agency said it received a distress call through its 767/112 toll-free emergency lines.
“The pilot executed a safe landing on the runway at Murtala Mohammed International Airport, with the LASEMA Response Team and other emergency responders standing by on extremely high alert on the runway,” the statement read.
“Collaborative efforts of the multi-agency responders were coordinated. After proper checks 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 aircraft were evacuated safely; no injuries were reported, and there was no loss of life.”
The agency noted that despite the technical malfunction and emergency landing, the aircraft sustained no major damage.
“The aircraft has been secured on the apron. Recovery activities have been completed,” the statement concluded.
On his part, Michael Achimugu, spokesperson of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), who also confirmed the incident, said that details would be communicated later.