Passengers from a flydubai flight that was diverted to Saudi Arabia after an alleged attempt to crash the aircraft have arrived safely in Israel.
The flight was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv on Wednesday when the co-pilot reportedly stabbed the pilot and sent the aircraft into a steep descent.
Passengers and crew intervened, while additional pilots on board helped regain control.
Passenger Yaniv Hayun described the chaos inside the aircraft.
“Someone screamed. We knew there was an attack because a woman screamed ‘stabbing’ and the plane shook hard.”
Hayun said he rushed towards the cockpit as the aircraft descended.
“We pulled the assailant out... After we pulled him out we took control of the plane.”
He said passengers were simply focused on getting the aircraft safely on the ground.
“We didn't care if we were landing in Saudi, in Angola, as long as we land and are on the ground.”
Passenger Almog Italie described the aircraft “dropping very, very sharply” before it stabilised.
The aircraft diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where the co-pilot was arrested. More than 10 hours later, passengers reached Ben Gurion Airport on a replacement flight.
One passenger was taken to hospital with a chest injury and was in mild condition, according to paramedic Aryeh Myers.
A passenger's mother described the uncertainty as families waited for news.
“We had a very terrified hour because we were just expecting him to land.”
Israeli officials described the incident as a serious security event. The airline said the reasons behind the confrontation remained unknown and warned against “premature speculation”.
The co-pilot, identified by an Israeli official as an Omani national, is being questioned by Saudi authorities. Israel's Transport Ministry said a joint investigation would be conducted.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel may participate in the investigation into a serious incident aboard a flydubai flight bound for Tel Aviv, while investigators examine the motive of the co-pilot involved.
Passengers restrained a flydubai co-pilot who allegedly stabbed the pilot and tried to crash a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday.
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