UAE investigates possible ‘terrorist’ link in attack on Flydubai flight to Israel that forced landing in Saudi Arabia | What we know | Today’s news
The United Arab Emirates has launched a criminal investigation into a mid-air dispute between two pilots aboard a Flydubai flight to Israel that forced the plane to divert and land in Saudi Arabia.
UAE Attorney General Hamad Saif Al Shamsi has formed a team of prosecutors to investigate the incident involving Flydubai flight FZ1073, state news agency WAM reported on Thursday.
The flight was carrying 174 passengers and was traveling from Dubai International Airport to Tel Aviv on Wednesday when the incident took place.
The co-pilot stabbed the captain
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There was an altercation in the cockpit where the co-pilot stabbed Captain Smit Machchhar, leading the aircraft to descend rapidly and divert to Saudi Arabia.
The UAE is investigating the incident to check possible motives for the attack and to determine whether it was linked to terrorist activity, as the plane is registered in the UAE.
Despite his injuries, Captain Machchhar managed to unlock the cockpit door, allowing the passengers to enter and help restrain the co-pilot, preventing the situation from escalating further.
While intervention can be essential in emergency situations, it is essential to carefully assess the situation as it can be dangerous; in this case, the passengers acted instinctively to prevent a potential disaster.
Captain Machchhar is receiving medical treatment at a hospital in Saudi Arabia for his serious injuries and is expected to be airlifted to Dubai for further treatment.
According to reports, the co-pilot stabbed the pilot-in-command, Indian national Smit Machchhar, during the flight. The aircraft subsequently plummeted 16,000 feet and caused a serious emergency.
Machchhar reportedly managed to unlock the cockpit door despite his injuries, allowing passengers to enter and restrain the co-pilot. Another pilot from the other crew then took control of the aircraft.
Read also | FlyDubai Attack: Hero Captain Smit Machchhar to be honored by Gujarat Govt
The aircraft was subsequently diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely.
Motive UAE is probing, possible terrorist link
The investigation will examine the circumstances of the incident, including the motive for the attack and whether it involved prior planning or direction.
Prosecutors will also determine whether the incident had any connection to “terrorist activity or intent,” WAM said.
The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs said an investigation was being launched as the plane was registered in the country and operated under the UAE flag.
Al Shamsi said UAE judicial authorities have jurisdiction because the plane is registered in the UAE, adding that UAE law applies to crimes committed on board its aircraft “even if they occur outside the country’s territory”.
Netanyahu said Israel would join in questioning the suspects
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had spoken with the president of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who agreed that Israel would participate in the interrogation of the suspect.
Netanyahu also credited Machhar and the passengers aboard the flight for helping to avert a potential disaster.
The incident attracted particular attention because the aircraft was operating an international route and the alleged attack took place inside the cockpit, potentially leaving the aircraft vulnerable to deliberate interference with its controls.
Passengers describe a chaotic descent
Passengers on the flight described the moments after the alleged attack as chaotic as the plane went into a steep descent.
The Israeli president’s office said passengers helped restrain the co-pilot after Machchhar opened the cockpit door. One passenger, Asaf Rajuan, described the situation as one where passengers had to react instinctively.
“We felt helpless, hanging in the air, and I didn’t know who to turn to. But it was all an instinct to survive,” Rajuan said in a statement shared by the Israeli presidency, according to Reuters.
Travelers from Israel, India, United Arab Emirates and USA
The plane was carrying passengers from several countries. Israel’s foreign ministry, as quoted by Al Jazeera, said citizens of Israel, India and the United Arab Emirates were on board.
The US State Department said the four passengers on the flight were US citizens.
Investigators are now expected to determine what triggered the cockpit confrontation, how the plane lost altitude and whether the incident was an isolated act or involved some wider planning or motive.
