Passengers injured as US-Bound United Flight Makes Emergency Return To Lagos

The passengers onboard a United States-based airline from Lagos to Washington were injured as the B787 Dreamliner struggled mid-air, declared an emergency and returned to Lagos a few hours after take-off from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

The Boeing 787-8 aircraft which was carrying 245 passengers, eight flight attendants, and three pilots had a technical problem over Cote d, Ivoire airspace.

There are indications that the aircraft lost altitude and dropped speedily making passengers panic and scream with some of them hitting their heads on hard surfaces as a result of the impact. Injuries sustained by the passengers and crew were minor.

One passenger, who preferred to remain anonymous, recounted the ordeal thus: “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.”

The airline which confirmed the incident stated “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. “