A United Airlines plane heading to a popular tourist destination was forced to make an emergency landing after it jolted mid-air, with the sudden plunge leaving passengers injured

United Airlines passenger jet plummets moments after take-off leaving several injured
The incident took place on a United Airlines flight(Image: Getty Images)

Six people were left injured after a United Airlines flight experienced a severe jolt and sudden drop mid-air shortly after taking off from Nigeria, resulting in an emergency landing.

The Washington DC-bound Flight 613 took off from Lagos on Friday but ran into technical troubles about 90 minutes into the journey, causing panic on board, with food trays seen scattered along the aisle of the Boeing 787-8. The plane, carrying 245 passengers and 11 crew members, had been airborne for 93 minutes when it encountered the incident. FlightRadar data indicated a sharp decrease in altitude, according to CNN.

It returned to Lagos, where six individuals were hospitalised. A United Airlines representative confirmed: “[The flight] landed safely in Lagos and four passengers and two flight attendants were seen at a hospital for minor injuries and have been released.”

United Airlines passenger jet plummets moments after take-off leaving several injured
Food was thrown around the aircraft

The reason behind the frightening episode has not been established, but United stated it was not brought on by intense turbulence.

Authorities are currently probing into the matter, reports the Mirror.

The Daily Star have approached United Airlines for comment.

United spokesperson Leslie Scott confirmed that all six injured – which included four passengers and two of the plane’s eight cabin crew – had since been discharged from hospital.

The same flight to Washington’s Dulles International Airport had been rerouted three days earlier on Tuesday, according to FlightRadar data.

Data from that flight revealed a swift drop in altitude of 1,000ft approximately 89 minutes into the flights. However, it remains unclear whether these two incidents were connected.

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