A United Airlines flight from Lagos to Washington Dulles International Airport had to make an emergency landing at Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport due to a technical issue. The flight, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, carried 245 passengers, three pilots, and eight flight attendants.
A video posted on Instagram captured the aftermath, showing items like food, luggage, and belongings scattered across the cabin, reflecting the chaos onboard.
Passengers shared their terrifying experiences. One passenger explained, “We had just finished our meals when the plane suddenly lost pressure and dropped sharply. This happened three times. I hit my head on the ceiling because of the impact.”
Please thank God for me. Last night we had a harrowing experience on United flight fro. Lagos to Washington, DC. The plane was spiraling out of control, lost its navigational and other tools. We had gone past Abidjan, and were initially to make an emergency landing in Ghana pic.twitter.com/aKqTlUfCRL
— Benjamin Amaechi 2 (@2_amaechi) January 24, 2025
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) confirmed the details, stating that six people sustained serious injuries—four passengers and two crew members.
Additionally, 27 passengers and five crew members suffered minor injuries. FAAN’s rescue team responded quickly, ensuring the injured received immediate medical care.
Emergency services were ready as the plane landed safely. Passengers with serious injuries were taken to a nearby hospital, while others were assisted at the airport.
An investigation is underway to identify the cause of the technical issue, which involved a sudden loss of cabin pressure. United Airlines has stated it is working closely with local authorities to support the investigation and assist those affected by the incident.
