A British Airways flight en route from London to Abuja was forced to make an emergency landing in Barcelona, Spain, after a retired Nigerian Air Vice Marshal from Anambra State tragically died mid-flight in the early hours of Monday.
The aircraft departed Heathrow Airport at around 11:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 5, and was expected to land at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, by 5:00 a.m. the following morning.
However, at approximately 1:30 a.m., the pilot declared a medical emergency after the elderly passenger, said to be in his early 80s, passed away during the flight. The flight was immediately diverted to El Prat Airport in Barcelona, where it landed safely.
According to sources who spoke with our correspondent, the retired Air Vice Marshal had reportedly been ill and was returning to Nigeria for further medical treatment. He was one of a small number of surviving senior military officers from Anambra State, and his death marks a significant loss for the Nigerian military community.
The incident caused a wave of distress among passengers, leading to confusion onboard. In the midst of the situation, a pregnant woman also experienced a medical scare, prompting urgent attention from the flight crew. Details of her condition were not confirmed as of press time.
Passengers onboard described the experience as traumatic, with one witness saying the atmosphere became tense as the crew worked swiftly to manage the situation and comfort affected passengers.
In an official message sent to passengers, British Airways apologised for the disruption and assured travellers that support would be provided.
“Passengers are advised to expect an email with more information and can reach out to the airline’s Live Chat feature for support. British Airways acknowledges the inconvenience and thanks passengers for their patience and understanding,” the airline stated.
To continue the journey, the airline arranged a replacement aircraft, which was initially scheduled to depart Barcelona at 2:00 p.m. local time. The time was later shifted to 2:50 p.m., with the flight expected to arrive in Abuja by 5:45 p.m. Nigerian time.
This tragic event highlights the growing number of elderly Nigerians seeking medical care abroad or returning home for treatment, a trend often tied to Nigeria’s struggling healthcare system.
While the name of the deceased has not yet been officially released, tributes have started pouring in from military and community circles who described him as a dedicated officer and patriot.
British Airways reiterated its commitment to passenger safety and extended its condolences to the family of the deceased.
