2 Crew Members, 4 Passengers Injured as United Airlines Makes Emergency Landing in Lagos

Two crew members and four passengers were injured on Friday after a United States-bound United Airlines flight was forced to make an emergency landing at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos.

The flight, bound for Washington Dulles International Airport, developed a technical fault mid-air, prompting the captain to declare an emergency and return to Lagos. The aircraft, a Boeing 787-800, departed MMIA at 11:59 PM on Thursday, January 23, 2025. After several hours in the air, it made a safe return to Lagos, landing at 03:22 AM on January 24.

According to Obiageli Orah, the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the aircraft was met by emergency teams as soon as it touched down. The Aerodrome Rescue and Fire Fighting Services (ARFFS), Aviation Medical, and Aviation Security (AVSEC) were on standby, ensuring a smooth disembarkation process.

A total of 245 passengers and 11 crew members were on board. While the landing was without incident, four passengers and two crew members sustained serious injuries. Additionally, 27 passengers and five crew members sustained minor injuries. The injured were quickly attended to by the rescue teams, who had been on alert and ready to respond as soon as the pilot reported the distress at 01:20 AM.

The more seriously injured individuals were stabilised and transferred to Duchess Hospital in Ikeja, while those with minor injuries received first aid at the scene before being discharged. Some passengers were accommodated in a hotel following the incident. Thankfully, the aircraft itself did not suffer any major damage.

FAAN assured the public that further updates would be provided as they became available.