A passenger travelling from Nairobi to Lagos on a Kenya Airways flight has died after becoming unresponsive during the journey.
The passenger, whose identity had yet to be disclosed, was traveling on the Lagos-bound flight on Tuesday night when the incident occurred about 20 minutes before the aircraft landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
Kenya Airways confirmed the incident on Wednesday, saying its crew responded to the medical emergency and administered first aid before the aircraft landed.
“One of our passengers was found to be unresponsive approximately 20 minutes before landing in Lagos,” the airline said.
The airline said the aircraft landed at the airport at 9:41 p.m. and was met by medical personnel, who examined the passenger and confirmed that he had died.
The Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, Michael Achimugu, said the police had taken over the investigation.
Achimugu said the passenger had reportedly been picked up from Madagascar after customs authorities denied him entry into the country and that Kenya Airways was expected to return him.
He said the passenger became restless and aggressive during the flight and allegedly attempted to gain access to the cockpit before trying to open the aircraft’s rear door.
He also said, the passenger was restrained by tying his hands behind his back to prevent further disruption and ensure the safety of other passengers and crew.
“When he got into the aircraft, he became restless and aggressive inside the aircraft, wanted to enter the cockpit and later wanted to open the rear door, but was later tied down.
“His hands were tied to his back to ensure that he stopped the troubles,” Achimugu said.
He added that the passenger was declared dead after the aircraft arrived in Nigeria.
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“But when he got to Nigeria, he was declared dead on arrival. I don’t want to preempt the police investigation, but they have taken it over for now,” he said.
Achimugu said the deceased’s family might request an autopsy as investigations progressed.
The police also confirmed the incident, saying the deceased’s body had been deposited at a morgue in Ikeja for further investigation.
The spokesperson for the Airport Command of the Nigeria Police Force, Muhammed Adeola, said investigators had taken statements from members of the flight crew, including the captain.
“Yes, it’s true, and investigations have commenced. It’s an issue of an inadmissible passenger, and the said complications arose on their way back,” Adeola said.
He said the passenger became unable to breathe during the flight, prompting medical officers to be alerted before the aircraft landed.
“However, upon landing, he was confirmed to have died,” he said.
Adeola added that the passenger’s body had been deposited at a morgue in Ikeja.
Meanwhile, Kenya Airways expressed condolences to the deceased’s family and friends, saying it was working with the family, relevant authorities and aviation regulators.
“We convey our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased and apologise for any inconvenience this incident may have caused,” the airline said.
The airline said it was respecting the privacy and dignity of those involved while providing necessary support to the family.
The police investigation is expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the passenger’s death and events that occurred aboard the aircraft before it landed in Lagos.
NAN
