flydubai Flight scare: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Thursday issued its first statement after a fatal stabbing inside the flydubai flight flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv, asserting that it would probe all angles, including a "terror" link. The UAE authorities ordered a probe into the potential crash attempt.
The United Arab Emirates is closely following the incident involving flydubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai International Airport to Tel Aviv, which was diverted and landed safely at Tabuk Airport in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the statement read.
In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) stated that Counsellor Dr Hamad Al Shamsi, UAE Attorney-General, had ordered the formation of a team comprising specialised members of the Public Prosecution to investigate the circumstances and causes of the incident. This follows flydubai’s announcement that an altercation had occurred in the flight deck, prompting flydubai crew members travelling on board to intervene and secure the aircraft, it added.
"The Ministry affirmed that the UAE’s judicial authorities have jurisdiction to investigate the incident under applicable legislation, as the aircraft is registered in the UAE and bears its flag. Accordingly, UAE law applies to crimes committed on board the aircraft, even when they occur outside UAE territory," it read.
Possible Connection To Terror To Be Investigated
The Ministry noted that the investigation includes examining all circumstances and motives surrounding the incident, including any possible connection to terrorist activity or intent, and whether it involved prior planning or direction. The UAE also expressed its appreciation to the Saudi authorities for their cooperation and handling of the incident.
The Ministry stressed the importance of relying on information and statements issued by official sources and avoiding the circulation of speculation or unverified information until the investigation is completed and its findings are announced.
On cooperation with the authorities of Saudi Arabia and the UAE on the probe into the alleged Flydubai foiled terror attack, Israel's Ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, said he is hopeful for cooperation as they are all part of the Abraham Accords.
"Since the Abraham Accords have been signed, we have more and more communication and cooperation between intelligence agencies and civil aviation agencies in our region. I'm sure that all the information that is going to come out, both from the investigation of the attacker and the black box of the plane, all these things are going to be hopefully shared. So we can draw conclusions, understand what happened, and try to prevent such events in the future," he added.
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Indian Envoy To UAE Meets 'Hero' Pilot's Family
In another development, Indian envoy to the UAE met the family of "hero" pilot Captain Smit Machchhar, who thwarted an alleged attempt by his co-pilot to crash a flydubai flight carrying nearly 180 people, and briefed them about his health and recovery. Indian Ambassador to the UAE Deepak Mittal, accompanied by Indian Consul General to Dubai Emmadi Vishnu Vardhan Reddy, met Machchhar's family members and conveyed the Indian government's full support and assistance for his welfare and well-being.
"Ambassador of India to the UAE met Captain Smit Machchhar's family in Dubai and conveyed the Government of India's full support and assistance for his welfare and wellbeing," Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on X.
Machchhar was stabbed and seriously injured by his co-pilot in the cockpit of flydubai flight FZ1073, travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv, on Wednesday.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed Machchhar as a "true hero" on Wednesday and said that "despite being stabbed and seriously injured, he fought back, resisted, opened the cockpit door, and enabled passengers and crew to overpower the attacker "preventing a catastrophic mid-air disaster."
Accused Co-Pilot Arrested In Saudi
The flydubai flight had transmitted emergency signals on Wednesday and made a sharp descent of more than 17,000 feet from 34,000 feet before diverting to Prince Sultan Bin Abdel Aziz Airport in Tabuk. The flight was carrying 174 passengers, including 27 children. The aircraft landed safely at Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia and the co-pilot, believed to be an Omani national, had been arrested and was being questioned by Saudi authorities.
(With PTI Inputs)
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