A passenger has died aboard a Kenya Airways (KQ) flight from Nairobi to Lagos, Nigeria, prompting renewed attention to a series of similar fatalities reported on the national carrier’s flights in recent years.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, October 7, Kenya Airways said the medical emergency occurred on Tuesday, October 6, aboard a flight travelling from Nairobi to Lagos.
The passenger reportedly became unresponsive at approximately 9.20 pm Nigerian time, about 20 minutes before the aircraft was scheduled to arrive at Murtala Muhammed International Airport.
KQ said cabin crew administered first aid and implemented emergency procedures as the aircraft continued to its destination. The plane landed at 9.41 pm, where medical personnel were waiting to assess the passenger.
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“Upon further examination, the medical personnel confirmed that the passenger had passed away,” KQ said in a statement.
The airline did not identify the passenger or disclose the circumstances that may have led to the medical emergency.
Preliminary reports indicate that the deceased, a male passenger, had become aggressive during the flight and had made several attempts to open the aircraft’s cabin door.
Videos shared by passengers on social media show several passengers appearing to restrain the man as he confronts the cabin crew.
The circumstances that led to the confrontation have not been independently established, including what prompted the passenger to allegedly attempt to open the cabin door.
KQ said it was coordinating with the deceased’s family, local authorities and aviation regulators to provide the necessary support following the incident.
“We convey our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased,” the airline said.
Previous fatalities involving Kenya Airways flights
The latest incident adds to several passenger deaths reported in connection with Kenya Airways flights.
On April 11, 2025, an elderly passenger died aboard Kenya Airways flight KQ003 travelling from New York to Nairobi after experiencing a medical emergency mid-flight.
KQ said the crew was alerted to the passenger’s collapse at about 8.40 am Nairobi time. Three medical professionals travelling on the aircraft volunteered to assist, and emergency procedures were initiated using the available onboard medical equipment.
The aircraft was diverted towards Entebbe International Airport in Uganda to facilitate urgent medical care. However, the passenger was pronounced dead before landing.
On September 2, 2022, Kenya Airways confirmed the death of a passenger aboard flight KQ002, which was travelling from Nairobi to New York.
The airline said the passenger was found unresponsive at approximately 6.30am on Friday, September 2, after the aircraft had departed Nairobi late the previous evening.
The fatality came less than two weeks after another passenger died on a Kenya Airways flight operating on the same route.
The case reported on August 22, 2022, involved a passenger aboard Kenya Airways flight KQ003 from New York to Nairobi who died following a medical emergency that prompted the aircraft to divert to Casablanca, Morocco where the passenger was confirmed dead.
In another case on September 14, 2022, another passenger died at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport while preparing to board a Kenya Airways flight to Mombasa.
The passenger reportedly developed breathing difficulties while boarding flight KQ612, before being pronounced dead while the aircraft was still on the ground.
The repeated reports of passenger deaths involving Kenya Airways flights have raised questions about the airline’s preparedness to manage medical emergencies, including the cabin crew’s capacity to respond to life-threatening situations.
