Video: United Airlines flight makes emergency landing, several injured

A United Airlines Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, flight UA613 from Lagos to Washington Dulles International Airport, made an emergency return landing in Lagos due to a technical issue, resulting in injuries to passengers and crew, according to media reports.  

The flight, carrying 245 passengers and 11 crew members, experienced sharp descents after reportedly losing cabin pressure.

One passenger described the ordeal: “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. The sharp descent happened three times, causing some people to sustain injuries.”  

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) confirmed that all passengers and crew disembarked safely. However, four passengers and two crew members sustained serious injuries, and 27 passengers and five crew members suffered minor injuries.

FAAN's rescue team provided immediate medical attention, and the injured were taken to local hospitals, with those seriously injured transferred to Duchess Hospital in Ikeja.

United Airlines confirmed the incident in a statement, citing a "technical issue" as the cause for the emergency landing. "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," the statement read.  

The flight departed Murtala Muhammed International Airport at 11:59 PM on Thursday, January 23, 2025, and made its emergency return at 3:22 AM. Emergency response teams met the aircraft upon landing, and the injured received immediate medical care.