JUST IN: Plane Crash averted as PH Bound Arik Aircraft Engine Explodes Mid-Air [PHOTO]

Passengers aboard an Arik Air flight from Lagos to Port Harcourt experienced moments of anxiety on Wednesday morning after the aircraft developed an engine issue mid-air, forcing an emergency diversion to Benin City.

The airline confirmed that the Boeing 737-700 aircraft, with registration number 5N-MJF, operating Flight W3 740, was on descent into Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, when the flight crew heard a loud bang from the left engine.

Following established safety procedures, the pilots immediately diverted the flight to the nearest airport as a precaution. The aircraft landed safely at Benin Airport without further complications.

Arik Air said all 80 passengers and crew members onboard disembarked safely, with no injuries recorded. The airline added that arrangements had been made to convey affected passengers to their intended destination in Port Harcourt.

In a statement, the airline’s Public Relations and Communications Manager, Adebanji Ola, apologised for the disruption caused by the incident, emphasising that passenger safety remains the airline’s top priority.

“The safety and wellbeing of passengers is always our priority at Arik Air. We sincerely apologise to the affected Port Harcourt passengers whose journey has been disrupted,” the statement read.