Emirates flight makes emergency landing

A Dubai-bound Emirates Airline flight was forced to make an emergency landing in Cape Town on Wednesday evening due to a mechanical failure in the aircraft's landing gear.

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DUBAI // A Dubai-bound Emirates Airline flight was forced to make an emergency landing in Cape Town on Wednesday evening due to a mechanical failure in the aircraft's landing gear.

After successfully taking off, the landing gear failed to retract, leading staff to announce they were having to make emergency landing.

The 243 passengers on board flight EK773 were provided with overnight accommodation. The flight was expected to land at Dubai International Airport at 1.14 this morning.

South African news agencies reported that passengers heard three loud bangs after take-off. They questioned cabin crew, who said the plane would turn back.

A statement from Emirates said the "a technical issue developed with the aircraft's landing gear".

The statement added that at no point were lives in danger.

"Emirates regards the safety and security of its passengers and crew with the utmost importance," the statement said.

Before returning to Cape Town, the plane circled over the Indian Ocean for more than an hour to burn off fuel.