United Airlines flight UA613, en route from Lagos to Washington, declared an emergency and returned to Lagos on Wednesday.
The Boeing 787-8 aircraft, carrying 245 passengers, eight flight attendants, and three pilots, experienced a technical issue while over Ivory Coast airspace, leading to a sharp descent that caused minor injuries among passengers and crew.
A passenger, speaking anonymously, recounted: “The plane lost pressure and dropped. I hit my head on the ceiling and became unconscious. The sharp descent happened three times, injuring some people.”
United Airlines spokesperson Linden Birns confirmed the safe landing at Murtala Muhammed International Airport and reported that first responders assisted those injured.