Emirates repatriation flight to Lagos returns to Dubai after passenger gives birth

The other passengers were transferred to another aircraft, which took off after a four-hour delay

An Emirates plane was forced to return to Dubai after a passenger on board a repatriation flight gave birth. Courtesy: Emirates 

An Emirates plane repatriating dozens of Nigerians stranded in the UAE was forced to turn back after a passenger gave birth mid-flight.

The woman delivered the boy 30 minutes after take-off, according to the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission.

There were 256 people on board the aircraft, which was bound for Lagos.

The mother and child were admitted to a hospital in Dubai.

The passengers were transferred to another aircraft, which took off after a four-hour delay.

“The Nigerian ambassador in Dubai, Ambassador Rimi and staff of the embassy are in touch with the mother and child who are in [a] good condition,” said the commission.

The mother and child will travel to Lagos after getting a birth certificate for the baby, it added.

A spokeswoman for Emirates airlines confirmed the baby was born on board flight EK783.

“As a result, the flight returned to Dubai International Airport. The aircraft was changed and re-departed for Lagos with a delay of approximately four hours," she said.

“The wellbeing and safety of our passengers and crew are of the utmost importance to Emirates."