Israel investigates Flydubai cockpit stabbing as suspected terrorist attack
Israeli authorities are investigating a cockpit stabbing on a Tel Aviv-bound Flydubai flight as a potential terrorist attack.
Israeli officials are investigating Wednesday's emergency diversion of Flydubai flight FZ1073 as a suspected terrorist attack. According to Israeli authorities, the aircraft's Omani co-pilot stabbed the Emirati captain in an attempt to crash the plane, which was carrying roughly 180 passengers, mostly Israeli citizens.
Witnesses reported a chaotic scene in which passengers and crew restrained the assailant using headphone cables after the aircraft lost altitude rapidly. A secondary pilot eventually landed the plane safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. The passengers were later transported to Tel Aviv on a replacement flight.
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz characterized the incident as a "jihadist attack," while security agencies raised questions over how the co-pilot bypassed security protocols. Following the event, Israel requested the suspension of Flydubai flights into the country, prompting at least one other Tel Aviv-bound flight to turn back to Dubai.
Sources: ANSA, Corriere della Sera, El Mundo, Il Messaggero, La Repubblica.