A Nigerian passenger, identified as a retired Air Vice Marshal, reportedly died mid-air aboard a British Airways flight from London to Abuja in the early hours of Monday.
Sources said the elderly man, who was in his 80s, had been ill before the trip and was being flown home for further medical care. However, he passed away less than two hours after the flight departed Heathrow Airport at 11:30 p.m. on Sunday.
Following the incident, the pilot diverted the aircraft to El Prat Airport in Barcelona, Spain, where an emergency landing was made around 1:10 a.m.
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Efforts to reach British Airways’ Regional Commercial Manager for Nigeria and Ghana, Mrs. Tutu Otuyalo, were unsuccessful, as calls and messages were not returned as of press time. However, reports monitored from The Guardian indicated that Otuyalo confirmed the incident, stating that the deceased passenger had a terminal illness.
She also expressed regret over the disruption caused to other passengers, assuring that the airline arranged a replacement aircraft to continue the journey from Barcelona to Abuja.
British Airways, in a statement, apologised for the inconvenience and thanked passengers for their patience.
“The replacement aircraft for your flight to Abuja is now on its way. Departure from Barcelona is expected at 14:50 local time, with arrival in Abuja at approximately 17:45,” the airline said.
The deceased’s body was reportedly handed over to authorities in Spain before the remaining passengers continued their journey.
