Overview

• About two and a half hours after departing London Heathrow on Sunday night, the flight diverted when a passenger became critically ill and died, according to reports.
• The pilot declared a medical emergency and landed at Barcelona El Prat so emergency responders could meet the aircraft.
• Nigerian media reported the deceased was a retired Nigerian Air Vice Marshal returning after cancer treatment, with some outlets naming him as Osita Obierika, a detail not confirmed by British Airways.
• Passengers reported panic on board, and a pregnant traveler reportedly suffered a medical episode, though her current condition has not been disclosed.
• British Airways apologized, advised customers to seek support via its channels, and operated a replacement jet that arrived in Abuja at about 5:45 p.m. local time, leaving arrivals roughly 12 hours late.