A passenger being flown from Nairobi to Lagos on a Kenya Airways flight died shortly after becoming unresponsive during the journey, with the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority saying the police have taken over investigations into the circumstances surrounding the death.
The passenger, whose identity had not been disclosed as of Wednesday, was reportedly being returned to Nigeria after authorities in Madagascar denied him entry.
The incident occurred on Tuesday night aboard a Kenya Airways flight from Nairobi to Lagos.
According to Kenya Airways, the passenger became unresponsive at about 9:20pm, approximately 20 minutes before the aircraft was scheduled to land at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
“One of our passengers was found to be unresponsive approximately 20 minutes before landing in Lagos,” the airline said in a statement on Wednesday.
The airline said its crew immediately responded by administering first aid and following established emergency procedures.
The aircraft landed at the Lagos airport at 9:41pm, where medical personnel boarded and examined the passenger.
“Upon landing at Murtala Muhammed International Airport at 21:41 hrs, the aircraft was met by medical personnel, and upon further examination, the medical personnel confirmed that the passenger had passed away,” Kenya Airways said.
Passenger Flight Details
The NCAA Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, said the airline’s country manager briefed him about the incident on Wednesday morning.
He said the police had commenced investigations and cautioned against reaching conclusions before the inquiry was completed.
“The country manager had woken me up this morning to say their own side of the story, and the police will start their own investigations,” Achimugu said.
According to the NCAA official, the passenger had been picked up from Madagascar after customs authorities reportedly denied him entry.
He explained that Kenya Airways was expected to return the passenger because it had brought him into the country.
“The country manager said he was picked from Madagascar, after customs had earlier denied him entry into the country, and as expected, the airline that brought him into the country must take him back,” Achimugu said.
Achimugu further alleged that the passenger became restless and aggressive during the flight, attempting to gain access to the cockpit and later trying to open the aircraft’s rear door.
He said the passenger was restrained by having his hands tied behind his back in an effort to prevent further disruption and protect 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,” he said.
The passenger was subsequently brought to Lagos and declared dead on arrival, according to Achimugu.
Achimugu added that the deceased’s family could request an autopsy as part of efforts to establish the cause of death.
Kenya Airways expressed condolences to the passenger’s family and friends, saying it was cooperating with the family, local authorities and aviation regulators.
