Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has revealed that the co-pilot of a Flydubai plane that made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday stabbed the pilot and attempted to crash the aircraft. In a video statement from his office, Netanyahu said the incident occurred as the plane approached Israel. He claimed that all indications show the co-pilot tried to crash the plane with everyone on board.
The incident involved Flight FZ1073, which was flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv with mostly Israeli passengers. The plane was diverted to Tabuk in northwestern Saudi Arabia. According to Netanyahu, an Israeli passenger told him the aircraft went into a spin and began to descend. The passenger, along with a crew member, intervened and overpowered the suspect.
Netanyahu identified the suspect as the plane's co-pilot, who had been arrested and was being interrogated by Saudi authorities. Israeli officials described the incident as an attempted terror attack, although Netanyahu did not use the term. The prime minister praised the passengers and crew members who intervened as "heroes" and said he had directed Israel's security establishment to prepare for possible additional threats.
The plane had 172 people on board, including 169 Israeli citizens. Flightradar24 data showed the aircraft dropped nearly 14,000 feet within 30 seconds during the incident. Netanyahu said another crew member stabilised the plane after the suspect was overpowered. The captain and the first officer were injured and taken to hospital, according to a statement from Tabuk airport.
Flydubai said the aircraft was secured by on-duty crew members travelling on the flight and that all passengers and crew were safe and accounted for. The airline said the matter was subject to a formal investigation and that the underlying reasons and motives behind this event are unknown. The incident comes amid heightened security concerns across the Middle East.
The plane had earlier transmitted emergency signals, including one indicating possible unlawful interference, prompting Israel to scramble fighter jets amid fears of a hijacking. Netanyahu's statement was his first public comment on the incident. Israeli officials have not released the identity of the co-pilot.
The incident has raised concerns about air safety and security in the region. Netanyahu's office said the prime minister would continue to monitor the situation and work with Israeli and international authorities to ensure the safety of Israeli citizens. The investigation into the incident is ongoing.
Key points
- The co-pilot of a Flydubai plane stabbed the pilot and tried to crash the aircraft with 172 people on board.
- The incident occurred as the plane approached Israel and was diverted to Tabuk in northwestern Saudi Arabia.
- The suspect, identified as the plane's co-pilot, was arrested and is being interrogated by Saudi authorities.
