UAE Probes Possible Terror Link in Dubai-Tel Aviv Flight Attack
A deadly attack by a co-pilot on the pilot of a flydubai passenger plane flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv in Israel has caused a stir. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has started a judicial probe. It wants to know if the attack was meant to crash the plane with the Israeli passengers on board. It also wants to know if there was any “terrorist motive” or prior plan behind it.
According to the UAE state news agency, the Attorney General of the country ordered this high level probe. The incident happened on Flight FZ1073. The plane was forced to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
Details of the incident and early probe:
While the plane was in the air, the co-pilot, an Omani citizen, suddenly stabbed the chief pilot, Mr. Smit Machchhar. Soon after, Israeli passengers on the plane bravely entered the cockpit and overpowered the attacking co-pilot. This saved all on board, including 166 Israeli passengers, from a major air disaster.
After the plane made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia, Saudi police arrested the Omani co-pilot. Saudi authorities led the early probe. But the plane is registered in the UAE and flies its flag. So under legal jurisdiction, the accused will be handed over to the UAE after early questioning.
An official involved in the probe said, “All possibilities are being checked, from a terrorist attack to a mental illness. Nothing can be ruled out yet.” Besides the UAE and Saudi Arabia, the United States, Oman and Israeli intelligence agencies are also part of this joint probe.
Bravery and international reaction:
Israel’s President Mr. Isaac Herzog has recommended the country’s highest civilian honor, the “Presidential Award for Civilian Heroism,” for four Israeli citizens and doctors. They stopped the attacker on the plane and gave emergency medical care to the injured pilot. India’s Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi also praised the courage of Mr. Smit Machchhar, the pilot of Indian origin. He helped land the plane safely while he was badly hurt.
As part of a safety review, the airline Emirates has put its codeshare flights on the Dubai-Tel Aviv route on hold for now. Steps are being taken to run special rescue flights to bring back the stranded passengers.
