Attempted hijacking of Flydubai flight to Tel Aviv: witness accounts and lingering questions
The flight linking Dubai to Tel Aviv made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia after a pilot stabbed his colleague, with Israeli authorities not ruling out a terrorist motive or an isolated individual act.
Written by EGazette’s AI. The facts are drawn from cited sources; the analysis is the AI’s own.
A Flydubai flight linking Dubai to Tel Aviv was forced to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia after one of the pilots stabbed his colleague mid-flight, according to Le Monde.
Israeli authorities investigating the incident have so far ruled out neither the possibility of a terrorist attack nor that of an isolated individual act, as witness accounts gathered since the incident still leave several aspects of the exact circumstances of the attack unclear.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had warned the day before the incident of possible attacks targeting Israeli interests, amid heightened tensions ahead of the legislative elections scheduled for October 27.
An investigation still underway
Both pilots were injured in the altercation, but the other passengers on board the aircraft are safe, according to the information available. The plane made an emergency landing on Saudi territory, where local authorities took charge of subsequent operations.
Le Monde notes that several elements of the investigation remain unconfirmed at this stage, notably the precise motives of the pilot involved and his full identity, as Israeli and Saudi authorities have not issued a joint statement on the matter.
Sources
- Après la tentative de détournement d’un avion de Flydubai volant vers Tel-Aviv, des témoignages et des zones d’ombre — Le Monde — Une
EGazette summarizes reporting from multiple sources; follow the links for the originals.
Comments
Loading comments…
Related articles
What We Know About the Stabbing Aboard a Flydubai Flight to Israel
The captain and first officer were injured after a mid-flight incident, and one pilot has been arrested, officials say.
Netanyahu Says Pilot of Rerouted Flydubai Flight Tried to Crash Plane
Israel's prime minister said the pilot of a Tel Aviv-bound flight attempted to crash the aircraft, after it made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia; passengers described a struggle for control.
Flight Carrying Israelis Diverted After Mid-Air Stabbing
A Flydubai flight bound for Tel Aviv was rerouted after a stabbing on board, which Israeli officials described as an act of terror.
Passengers Subdue Pilot Who Allegedly Tried to Crash Flydubai Flight, Israel Says
The co-pilot of a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv was arrested after being restrained by passengers, according to Israeli officials.
Passengers From Plane That Made Emergency Landing in Saudi Arabia Arrive in Tel Aviv
The aircraft had taken off from Tabuk Airport after an earlier diversion linked to a mid-flight incident.
Netanyahu says FlyDubai pilot stabbed colleague, tried to crash plane bound for Israel
Israeli prime minister said a passenger helped a crew member subdue a pilot who allegedly stabbed his co-pilot mid-flight.