A British Airways flight from London to Abuja made an emergency diversion to Barcelona, Spain, early Monday after a retired Nigerian Air Vice Marshal died onboard.
The flight left Heathrow Airport at 11:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 5, and was due to arrive in Abuja by 5:00 a.m. Monday. However, around 1:30 a.m., the pilot declared a medical emergency and rerouted to El Prat Airport in Barcelona.
Sources confirmed that the deceased, an octogenarian from Anambra State, had been ill and was returning home for further treatment. He was among the few surviving retired air vice marshals from the state.
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The incident caused tension among passengers. In the confusion, a pregnant woman reportedly suffered a medical scare. Her condition was still unclear at press time.
Meanwhile, British Airways apologised for the disruption and assured passengers of full support. The airline said it had reached out to passengers via email and its Live Chat service. “We recognise this has been a difficult experience and appreciate your patience,” the statement read.
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To continue the journey, a replacement aircraft was sent to Barcelona. The flight, initially expected to depart at 2:00 p.m. local time, later took off at 2:50 p.m. and was due to arrive in Abuja around 5:45 p.m. Nigerian time.
Esther Ososanya is an investigative journalist with Pinnacle Daily, reporting across health, business, environment, metro, Fct and crime. Known for her bold, empathetic storytelling, she uncovers hidden truths, challenges broken systems, and gives voice to overlooked Nigerians. Her work drives national conversations and demands accountability one powerful story at a time.
