A Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday morning after the co-pilot allegedly stabbed the captain and tried to crash the plane.
Israeli officials say passengers and crew helped stop the alleged attacker, and Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has praised the bravery of the captain and passengers on board.
Flydubai has confirmed the incident but says the motive is unknown.
Here’s what we do know so far.
Incident
Flydubai is a low-cost airline based in Dubai and owned by the Dubai Government (part of the UAE).
It has run flights between Israel and the UAE since 2020, when the two countries set up an official diplomatic relationship.
There were around 180 people on board Flight 1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv on Wednesday.
Most passengers were Israeli nationals, according to international media.
As the plane got closer to Israel, it sent out a general emergency code, then an “unlawful interference” code, which is used to indicate hijacking.
Two and a half hours into the flight, the plane began to nosedive.
Flight tracking data shows the aircraft dropped around 17,000 feet over two minutes.
Netanyahu alleged the flight’s co-pilot (who hasn’t been named) stabbed Captain Smit Machchhar as the plane approached Israel.
Netanyahu said the wounded captain fought back and opened the cockpit door.
A group of passengers and crew members went into the cockpit and subdued the attacker, who was allegedly trying to sabotage the plane’s systems.
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Flydubai crew members then took over the plane and completed an emergency landing safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Netanyahu said Saudi authorities arrested the co-pilot.
Both pilots were taken to hospital.
India’s embassy says Captain Machchhar is “receiving necessary medical attention”.
Aftermath
A plane carrying passengers from the diverted flight landed in Israel on Wednesday evening.
Some of them met with Netanyahu, including a man named Yaniv Hayun, who aided in subduing the attacker.
Netanyahu said: “You are a hero. You deserve a global medal of honor”.
The Israeli PM also praised Captain Machchhar for “his extraordinary bravery” and wished him “a speedy and full recovery”.
The UAE’s aviation authority called it a security incident and told people not to share unofficial information.
Flydubai has suspended all flights to and from Israel while the investigation continues.
The airline said “motives behind this event are unknown,” and urged “all parties to refrain from premature speculation while authorities gather the facts”.
Saudi Arabia’s National Transport Safety Center has also opened an investigation.
Israel and Saudi Arabia have no diplomatic relationship.
