OMM Redaksiyası
Israeli authorities are classifying an emergency incident aboard a passenger aircraft operated by Flydubai as a terrorist attack.
“Operative Information Center-OMM” reports, citing foreign media outlets.
The assessment was reportedly made after the incident was investigated and statements were collected from passengers.
According to preliminary information, the co-pilot stabbed the captain several times and attempted to take control of the aircraft.
An unnamed senior Israeli official said a very serious disaster had been averted.
The official said the co-pilot is currently being questioned.
Israeli media have also published photographs reportedly taken inside the aircraft. One of the images allegedly shows a bloodstained shirt belonging to a passenger.
One of the main lines of the investigation is that the co-pilot acted deliberately and attempted to seize control of the aircraft and destroy it.
According to Walla, the pilot involved in the investigation is an Omani national. At the same time, some media outlets have reported that the aircraft captain was a Russian national and the co-pilot was a Ukrainian national.
A representative of the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office said all passengers were safe.
The representative said the situation was “under control” and that all necessary measures were being taken to return Israeli citizens to the country.
The incident reportedly occurred earlier aboard Flydubai flight FZ1073, which was flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv. While the aircraft was crossing Jordanian airspace, it first transmitted a general emergency signal and later a signal indicating a possible hijacking or unlawful interference. The aircraft diverted to Saudi Arabia and landed at Tabuk airport in the country’s northwest. About 180 passengers were reportedly on board.
Emergency signals and aircraft diversions are generally investigated by aviation and security authorities to determine whether they resulted from a technical problem, a security incident or unlawful interference. Final conclusions depend on evidence collected from the crew, passengers, flight data and communications records.
