A dramatic incident unfolded on a FlyDubai flight bound for Tel Aviv when a passenger allegedly attempted to hijack the plane, prompting an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. According to eyewitness accounts and footage published by Israeli media outlets, including Yedioth Ahronoth and Channel 12, the plane was diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after a passenger attacked one of the pilots.
Passengers on board the flight described the terrifying moments they experienced as they tried to regain control of the plane. One passenger, who wished to remain anonymous, recounted the chaos that erupted when the pilot was attacked, saying that he and a few other passengers rushed to the cockpit to subdue the assailant. The passenger, who was injured in the process, described the scene as "absolute pandemonium."
The would-be hijacker, identified as a pilot from Oman, allegedly stabbed one of the pilots, who was treated by a doctor on board. The flight's reserve pilot, a Fijian national, assisted in subduing the attacker. The injured pilot, an Indian national, received medical attention, allowing the flight to continue its journey.
Footage and eyewitness accounts suggest that the passengers played a crucial role in foiling the hijacking attempt. One passenger, Mans, described the incident as "an event of insane proportions." He recounted how he and two others entered the cockpit and overpowered the attacker, saving the plane and its 150 passengers.
The incident sparked a significant security response, with Israeli authorities and media outlets reporting on the emergency landing and the passengers' ordeal. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been briefed on the situation, and the Israeli government has been working closely with Saudi authorities to ensure the passengers' safety.
An investigation into the incident is underway, with authorities working to determine the motives behind the hijacking attempt. The incident has raised concerns about airline security and the potential for terrorist threats on commercial flights. The Israeli government has promised a thorough investigation and increased security measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The passengers, shaken but grateful to have escaped the ordeal, have praised the bravery and quick thinking of their fellow travelers who helped foil the hijacking attempt. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and cooperation in ensuring the safety of air travel.
Key points
- Israeli passengers recount their experience on a FlyDubai flight that made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia after a suspected hijacking attempt.
- Passengers played a crucial role in subduing the attacker and saving the plane and its 150 passengers.
- An investigation into the incident is underway, with authorities working to determine the motives behind the hijacking attempt.
