A United Airlines flight bound for Washington D.C. from Lagos experienced an emergency situation, forcing it to return to Lagos. The aircraft had 245 passengers, three pilots, and eight flight attendants on board.

Reports indicate that several passengers and crew members sustained minor injuries during the incident. Videos and images shared by passengers showed food and luggage scattered throughout the cabin, a result of the turbulence and instability of the flight.

As of now, the precise cause of the disruption has not been determined. However, passengers speculated that it might be linked to engine issues. The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau has been tasked with investigating and confirming the root cause of the incident.

The Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Micheal Achimugu, confirmed the incident. He stated that affected passengers had been accommodated in hotels, as mandated by NCAA regulations. “Yes, it is true, and there are no problems. The passengers have been lodged in a hotel as stipulated by the NCAA Act,” he said.

In a brief statement, United Airlines acknowledged the situation, describing it as a “technical issue.” The airline clarified that Flight UA613 returned to Lagos to address the problem. Upon safely landing, emergency responders attended to passengers and crew who sustained minor injuries.

The airline did not provide further details about the technical issue but assured that safety protocols were followed. Investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the incident.