Israel investigates security failure after Flydubai co-pilot attempts flight hijacking
Israel has opened an investigation into security lapses after a Flydubai co-pilot stabbed the captain and attempted to crash a flight bound for Tel Aviv.
Israeli security agencies are investigating how an Omani co-pilot bypassed vetting procedures and brought a weapon aboard a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv. Officials state the co-pilot stabbed the Emirati captain in an attempt to crash the plane, which carried around 180 passengers.
Witnesses said passengers and crew helped restrain the attacker using headphone cables, allowing a secondary pilot to land the aircraft safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Israeli fighter jets were scrambled, and the flight was barred from entering Israeli airspace. Passengers were later brought to Tel Aviv on a replacement flight.
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz termed the incident a "jihadist attack." Following the event, Israel requested a suspension of incoming Flydubai flights, causing subsequent routes to turn back.
Sources: ANSA, Corriere della Sera, El Mundo, Il Messaggero, La Repubblica.