The identity and motive of the Omani copilot who stabbed his captain on a flight to Israel, causing the plane to plummet dangerously and forcing it to land in Saudi Arabia, remained unknown on Thursday as investigators raced to learn more. Israeli passengers on the flydubai flight carrying 174 people from the United Arab Emirates to the Israeli city of Tel Aviv have described how the bloodied Indian captain managed to open the cockpit door to let them in before they grappled with the copilot and stabilised a descent so sharp that the plane’s rudder was torn away. But it was all instinct to survive,” one of the responders, Asaf Rajuan, said in a new statement shared by Israel’s presidency.
Saudi and UAE authorities have said little publicly beyond confirming that investigations were underway. The UAE chief prosecutor said on Thursday a probe had been launched into the incident, state media reported. The official news agency WAM said the attorney general had ordered the investigation, adding that the "team has launched its work into the incident." It also said the investigation would determine "the degree to which (the incident) was linked to any terrorist activity or intent." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said the copilot was arrested.
Captain Smit Machchhar, widely praised as another hero of the flight, was reportedly in stable condition, the Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia said overnight. India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed Machchhar as a "HERO" in comments on Thursday. "In the face of the gravest danger and despite being seriously injured, he showed immense courage and an unwavering resolve to protect the lives of others," Modi said.
"His valour helped save hundreds of lives and avert a great tragedy. India is proud of Captain Machchhar. Praying for his speedy recovery, renewed strength and good health." The condition of the arrested copilot was not clear.
In a CNN interview aired on Wednesday evening, Netanyahu said the attacker was an Omani national and was being interrogated in Saudi Arabia. US President Donald Trump told reporters at the White House that he and Netanyahu discussed the incident “at length” over the phone and that it seemed as though the copilot “was perhaps a terrorist or perhaps a whack job." Netanyahu said he spoke with the UAE’s president, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who agreed that Israel would join the interrogation of the suspect. Israel’s foreign ministry said the people on board were from Israel, India and the UAE.
The US State Department said four passengers had American citizenship. Flydubai has said its flights to and from Israel would be suspended while an investigation takes place. Netanyahu had warned in recent days of unspecified, heightened security threats.
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