An Enugu Air aircraft veered off the runway after landing at Benin Airport on Thursday following heavy rainfall, prompting an emergency response but leaving all passengers and crew members unharmed.
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) confirmed that the aircraft landed safely before skidding off the runway during adverse weather conditions. Initial fears of a plane crash were later dismissed after aviation authorities verified that there were no injuries or fatalities.
Enugu Air, in a statement, said all passengers and crew were safely evacuated and the aircraft had been secured. The airline added that the relevant aviation authorities had been notified in line with established safety procedures and warned that the incident could result in temporary adjustments to some flight schedules. Affected passengers, it said, would be contacted and provided with the necessary assistance.
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has launched an investigation into the runway excursion to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident. Preliminary reports indicate that the aircraft involved was an Embraer E170, while emergency responders quickly secured the scene after the aircraft left the runway.
The incident temporarily disrupted operations at Benin Airport but did not result in any loss of life or reported injuries. Aviation authorities are expected to release further findings after completing their investigation.
