A Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv was the scene of a attempted terrorist attack on Wednesday, according to a United Arab Emirates official.
What happened
A co-pilot, identified by sources as Omani citizen Hamam al-Hammami, attacked the flight captain with a crash axe and attempted to take control of the aircraft's controls, said UAE Attorney General Hamad Saif Al Shamsi. The attack was thwarted when crew and passengers were able to enter the cabin and subdue the attacker.
The incident occurred on a flight carrying 174 mostly Israeli passengers. The flight captain, Indian national Capt. Smit Machchhar, was severely injured in the attack but was able to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew members to rush in and prevent a crash.
Al-Hammami was transferred from Saudi Arabia to Abu Dhabi on Thursday, and his health has improved, according to the Saudi Interior Ministry. Investigations into the incident are ongoing, with Emirati officials working to establish the full circumstances, motives, and any links related to the incident.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the attacker had undergone Islamist radicalization and intended to crash the plane, and that Israel is investigating whether he was sent by a larger organization.
