Stowaway man found dead on KLM plane from Lagos after he tries to leave Nigeria illegally

 

A dead stowaway was discovered in the wheel well of a KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Boeing 777 departing from Lagos, Nigeria with the registration PH-BQM.

On Monday, a tragic incident occurred that sparked concerns about how and when the individual was allowed to board the plane.

To ascertain the facts surrounding the occurrence, an investigation has been opened.

A Royal Dutch Marechaussee representative told Aviation24 that stowaways in the wheel wells of airplanes are subject to harsh temperatures, which can fall as low as minus fifty degrees on longer flights. This makes it nearly impossible to survive, and hypothermia is probably a factor in this situation.

He said, “Sometimes they survive, but most of the time it goes wrong given the sharp drop in temperature. On longer flights, temperatures can go down to minus fifty degrees, impossible to survive.”

Despite the risks, some stowaways still attempt to use this method to travel without proper documentation or authorisation, often seeking a better life or escaping difficult situations in their home countries.

The discovery of this deceased stowaway highlights the need for increased security measures and thorough inspections of aircraft before departure to prevent such incidents from occurring. Airlines and aviation authorities regularly review and update their security protocols to ensure the safety and security of passengers and crew onboard.

Share this story