By Eteteonline
After experiencing a technical issue in midair, a Qatar Airways aircraft carrying 248 passengers and 12 crew members made a safe emergency landing at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on Friday night.
Distress warnings and a rapid emergency reaction were triggered when the aircraft encountered the issue while flying within Nigerian airspace.
With the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, response team, and other emergency responders on high alert on the runway, the pilot made a safe landing.
Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, the Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, said that no one had been killed or injured as a result of the operation in a statement.
Despite the abrupt landing and technical difficulties, Oke-Osanyintolu said the event did not cause any serious harm to the Qatar Airways aircraft.
The statement read: “Following distress alerts received on its 767/112 Toll Free Emergency Lines, the 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 pilot executed a safe landing on the runway at Muritala Mohammed International Airport with the LASEMA response team and other emergency responders standing-by on extreme high alert on the runway.
“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. LRT has safely concluded the rescue operation.
“Responders present LASEMA Response Team-Command and Control Centre, Ikeja, Lagos, LASAMBUS, LASG Fire and Rescue Service and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN.”
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