A 52-year-old man undergoing elective abdominal surgery develops sudden hypoxia (SpO₂ 88%) and hypotension (BP 90/55 mmHg) 45 minutes after induction of general anaesthesia with propofol and succinylcholine. The anaesthetist notes bilateral breath sounds are present, but end-tidal CO₂ has dropped sharply. What is the most common cause of this acute perioperative complication?

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