All 248 passengers and 12 crew members were safely evacuated with no injuries recorded
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) has confirmed a successful rescue operation following an air incident involving a passenger aircraft at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, on Friday.
The confirmation was contained in a statement obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday and signed by the Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu.
According to the agency, the state’s emergency response plan was immediately activated after distress alerts were received via the 767 and 112 toll-free emergency lines late on Friday evening.
LASEMA explained that the aircraft experienced technical difficulties while airborne within Nigerian airspace, necessitating an emergency landing at the Lagos airport.
“Preliminary investigations by LASEMA Response Teams revealed that the incident was caused by technical issues suffered by the aircraft,” the statement said.
The aircraft, whose operator’s name was not disclosed, was carrying 248 passengers and 12 crew members at the time of the incident. The pilot successfully executed a safe landing, with emergency responders already on standby and fully positioned to manage the situation.
The agency noted that swift inter-agency collaboration ensured prompt control of the incident, preventing any casualties.
Following safety assessments by the pilot and engineering crew, the aircraft was moved to the apron for further inspection and necessary repairs. All passengers were safely evacuated, with no injuries or loss of lives recorded.
LASEMA added that the incident did not result in any significant damage to the aircraft and confirmed that recovery activities had been completed and the rescue operation concluded successfully.
The agency commended the effective collaboration among emergency responders and reassured Lagos residents of its preparedness to respond promptly to emergencies.
Agencies involved in the operation included LASEMA, the Lagos State Ambulance Service, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).