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.
EVACUATION: NIGERIAN WOMAN DELIVERS BABY ABOARD EMIRATE AIRLINE.
— Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (@nidcom_gov) May 6, 2020
A Nigerian lady, Mrs Kafayat Amusan, one of the stranded Nigerians travellers, returning from Dubai, UAE, has been delivered of a baby boy on board Emirates airline departing to Lagos. pic.twitter.com/KBZQGWqLDW
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."
