The Israeli Embassy in the Democratic Republic of Congo has commended the bravery of Indian pilot Smit Machchhar, who thwarted a terrorist attack on a FlyDubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv on October 1, 2026. According to the embassy, Machchhar, despite being severely injured, resisted the aggressive copilot and maintained control of the aircraft, saving the lives of 174 people on board. The embassy expressed gratitude to Machchhar and wished him a speedy recovery.
The incident has been described as a foiled terrorist attack against Israeli citizens, the United Arab Emirates, and the vision of the Abraham Accords. Israeli Ambassador to the DRC, Leo Vinovesky, stated that the copilot's intention was to crash the plane. The embassy emphasized that terrorism will not undermine bilateral relations or regional progress. The ambassador's statement was released through the Congolese press agency, ACP.
The flight, numbered FZ1073, had 174 passengers and crew members on board, with 166 being Israeli nationals. Israeli passengers and crew members showed remarkable bravery and civic responsibility, working together to subdue the aggressive copilot. Their swift action allowed the crew to regain control of the aircraft and transfer its control to an alternative pilot team on board.
The Israeli Embassy has praised the professionalism of the Emirati crew members and the bravery of Israeli passengers. After making an emergency landing, passengers and crew continued their journey on a new FlyDubai flight from Saudi Arabia, landing safely at Ben Gurion Airport in Israel. The incident highlights the continued threat of terrorism and the importance of international cooperation to combat it.
Ambassador Vinovesky emphasized that Israel and the United Arab Emirates remain united against terrorism. The Israeli Embassy in the DRC, which also covers Angola, Mozambique, and Sao Tome and Principe, released the statement condemning the terrorist attack. The incident demonstrates the importance of international cooperation in maintaining regional security.
The foiled terrorist attack on the FlyDubai flight is a stark reminder of the ongoing threat of terrorism in the region. The incident was swiftly condemned by the international community, and the Israeli Embassy's statement highlights the importance of cooperation between countries to combat terrorism. The bravery of the passengers and crew members was widely praised.
The incident is currently under investigation, with authorities working to determine the motives behind the copilot's actions. The Israeli Embassy's statement praised the heroism of the passengers and crew, particularly pilot Smit Machchhar, who played a crucial role in foiling the terrorist attack. The incident serves as a testament to the importance of vigilance and cooperation in maintaining regional security.
Key points
- The Israeli Embassy praised Indian pilot Smit Machchhar for his heroism in foiling a terrorist attack on a FlyDubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
- The incident, described as a foiled terrorist attack, was thwarted by the bravery of passengers and crew members, who subdued the aggressive copilot.
- Israel and the United Arab Emirates have reaffirmed their commitment to combating terrorism following the incident.
