A Boeing 737 plane was hit by a thunderous "loud bang" that ripped through the aircraft's cabin mid-flight, forcing it to rush to the nearest airport.

Passengers travelling on Arik Air flight W3740 reportedly heard a loud noise from the aircraft's left wing on Wednesday morning. The flight left from Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos and was heading to Port Harcourt. The images released shows the plane's engine torn open with its outer casing completely ripped away, leaving internal wiring, pipes and mechanical components completely exposed.

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