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Israeli officials said an incident aboard a flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv may have been a possible “terror attempt” carried out by one of the pilots. The aircraft was diverted to Saudi Arabia after rapidly losing altitude.
Two Israeli officials told Reuters that the co-pilot was suspected of injuring the captain with a knife. Cabin crew members then reportedly entered the cockpit and took control of the aircraft.
The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Israel’s initial assessment indicated that the incident was not linked to a mental health problem involving either pilot. An Israeli official had earlier said emergency signals were transmitted after a physical confrontation between the pilots.
Aircraft lost nearly 14,000 feet in altitude
Flight FZ1073 was flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv over Jordanian airspace when it was diverted to Saudi Arabia. According to Flightradar24, the Boeing 737 first transmitted a general emergency signal and later a signal indicating possible unlawful interference.
Flight data showed that the aircraft lost approximately 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds before the first emergency signal. It later stabilized and landed safely at Tabuk airport in northwestern Saudi Arabia.
It is not yet known who activated the emergency signals. Israeli media reported that approximately 150 Israeli passengers were aboard the aircraft.
Both pilots taken to hospital
Tabuk airport said both pilots were taken to hospital after sustaining injuries. A video circulated by Israeli media and reportedly filmed by one of the passengers said one pilot had suffered serious injuries while the other had minor injuries.
Yasmin Abukasis, who spoke to Israeli media, said her daughter Miriam heard screams aboard the aircraft and saw a man holding a knife knock one of the pilots to the floor. She also said there were traces of blood in the passenger cabin.
Israeli media published a photograph purportedly taken inside the aircraft showing a passenger whose shirt was covered in blood. Reuters was unable to independently verify the image immediately.
Netanyahu holds security consultation
The incident prompted national security consultations in Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu canceled events scheduled for the rest of the day and held a security meeting to manage the situation.
The prime minister’s office said the situation was “under control” and that steps were being taken to return the Israeli passengers to the country.
flydubai has so far provided little information about the incident. The airline said the flight was diverted to Tabuk because of an “incident” and landed there safely. flydubai said all passengers were safe and had been accounted for after the flight.
The United Arab Emirates has not commented on the incident. It occurred several days after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Israel and the UAE have expanded their security, military and economic ties since establishing diplomatic relations in 2020. flydubai operates daily return flights between Dubai and Tel Aviv, with the route usually passing through the airspace of Saudi Arabia and Jordan.
