38 people were injured on a United Airlines flight from Lagos, Nigeria to Washington, D.C. this week, in what Nigerian officials said was a “technical problem and unexpected aircraft movement” on the plane.
Nigerian officials and the airline said six people were treated at a hospital.
United described the six people’s injuries as “minor,” while Nigerian officials described them as “serious.” Nigerian officials also said 32 other people on the flight suffered minor injuries.
Videos and photos on social media show distress and chaos on the plane, with passengers seen talking to each other and food and meal trays scattered throughout the cabin.
United did not provide further details about what it said was a “technical problem,” the extent of the movement or any possible cause, but said the matter was under investigation.
The airline said, “We are working with aviation authorities in the US and Nigeria to understand the cause”……
The Federal Aviation Administration has referred questions to the airline and to authorities in Nigeria.
The flight, which left Nigeria for Washington Dulles International Airport on Thursday night, was forced to return to Lagos for an emergency landing on Friday morning. The plane, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, had 245 passengers and 11 crew members on board.
The plane was flying over the Ivory Coast on its return to Nigeria, according to information from Flightradar24, a site that compiles public information about aircraft locations, flight paths and altitudes.
Nigeria’s Federal Airports Authority said on social media that four passengers and two crew members suffered serious injuries. An additional 27 passengers and five crew members suffered minor injuries, the statement said. The nature of the injuries was not disclosed.
“Those who suffered minor injuries were given first aid and discharged immediately, while the seriously injured were rushed to hospital.
