The Ministry of Civil Aviation announced in a statement that EgyptAir flight number MS875 heading to Lagos Airport in Nigeria returned to Cairo International Airport after its departure at 8:45am on Saturday due to a "sudden technical malfunction."

Media adviser to the Ministry of Civil Aviation Bassem Abdel-Karim stated that all passengers were disembarked safely and were hosted at EgyptAir's rest-houses.

Abdel-Karim said transit passengers were rebooked on alternative flights, and that another plane is being prepped for the flight.

He asserted that EgyptAir is keen on following all international standards related to air safety procedures, and that the safety and comfort of the passengers is the company's top priority.