Dubai: Passengers aboard a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv have described moments of panic after a violent incident was reportedly reported inside the aircraft’s cockpit, including claims that one pilot was stabbed and the aircraft briefly appeared to lose control.
Flydubai flight FZ1073 was diverted to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday after the aircraft issued an emergency alert. The incident initially triggered concerns over a possible hijacking, prompting Israel to scramble fighter jets as authorities tried to determine what had happened.
Israeli media, citing security officials, later reported that the emergency was connected to an altercation between the two pilots rather than a hijacking. The precise sequence of events inside the cockpit has not been officially established.
Passengers interviewed by Israeli media described hearing screams and seeing blood after the cockpit was opened.
One passenger told Channel 12 that passengers heard shouting before the cockpit door was opened and they saw blood inside. She claimed that one pilot had been stabbed with a pocketknife and that Israeli passengers and crew members helped restrain the alleged attacker.
She also recalled moments when passengers feared they might not survive the incident. Some passengers reportedly began praying during the ordeal.
Another passenger, identified as Noam, said the aircraft appeared to descend rapidly after passengers realised something was wrong.
According to her account, screams spread through the cabin as passengers became aware that one of the pilots had been seriously injured.
“The plane started to dive quickly,” she said, describing the situation as extremely frightening.
The reports have not been independently confirmed in full, and authorities have released limited information about the alleged stabbing, the identities of those involved or what caused the aircraft’s reported descent.
The aircraft eventually landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. All passengers and crew were reported to be safe.
The emergency initially raised fears in Israel that the aircraft could have been hijacked because it was carrying Israeli passengers. Israeli fighter jets were scrambled as a precaution while the situation was assessed.
The incident remains under investigation, with authorities expected to establish what occurred inside the cockpit and why the flight issued the emergency alert.
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