How Qatar Airways flight makes emergency landing in Lagos, saves 248 passengers, 12 crew members

Tense scenes unfolded at Murtala Muhammed International Airport on Friday as a Qatar Airways aircraft was forced to make an emergency return.

The flight, carrying at least 248 passengers and 12 crew members from Lagos to Doha, developed a technical fault while cruising over Nigerian airspace.

Shortly after the problem emerged mid-flight, the pilot issued a distress alert. The signal was received at the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) Command and Control Centre in Alausa, immediately activating the state’s emergency response plan.

Multiple agencies, including the LASEMA Response Team, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, LASAMBUS, and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, were mobilized. Emergency crews lined the runway ahead of the aircraft’s unscheduled return as passengers onboard prepared for the unexpected descent.

The pilot executed a controlled and safe emergency landing, with the aircraft touching down smoothly. All occupants were successfully evacuated without injury, and there was no significant damage to the plane.

LASEMA’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, confirmed the coordinated response was triggered through the agency’s toll-free emergency lines. After landing, the aircraft was checked by engineering staff and moved to the apron for detailed inspection and repairs.

Qatar Airways officials commended the flight crew and the emergency agencies for their swift actions, stating that following established safety protocols averted a potential disaster.

The airline confirmed that flight QR 1406 returned to Lagos due to an unexpected issue and that all on board were safe.

While the specific nature of the technical fault remains under evaluation, and Qatar Airways has yet to issue a detailed public statement, the aircraft remains at the airport for assessment.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled:  Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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