FlyDubai flight diverted to Saudi Arabia: suspected terrorist act, pilot stabbed, suspect arrested… What we know about this extraordinary incident

The first details are emerging regarding the diversion of flight FZ 1073, en route from Dubai International Airport to Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv. The Israeli government is suggesting a terrorist act as a possibility. The co-pilot, who was carrying a knife, reportedly attempted to crash the plane before passengers intervened at the last minute.

Altercation between pilots, terrorist act, diverted landing... Passengers aboard flight FZ 1073, from Dubai International Airport to Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport, experienced a turbulent journey. Their plane had to land on Wednesday, September 30, not in Israel as planned, but in Saudi Arabia, following an "incident" in flight, according to the airline FlyDubai.

The plane took off from Dubai at 5:05 a.m. French time, but after just over two hours of flight, the aircraft began experiencing several jolts, descending and climbing repeatedly. At 7:28 a.m., the plane issued emergency code 7700, before passengers intervened to regain control. Several details of the situation are emerging thanks to testimonies from some of the passengers' relatives and the initial findings of the investigation conducted by Israeli authorities.

The passengers are safe and sound.

The aircraft landed safely at Tabuk airport and all passengers are safe, a spokesperson for the Emirati low-cost carrier said in a statement. The plane did not experience any malfunctions and was not flying through a sensitive area that would have forced it to make an early stop. According to Israeli media, an altercation occurred between the pilot and co-pilot in the cockpit, during which the aircraft's emergency signal was activated. Some passengers reportedly intervened to end the conflict.

A terrorist act?

While Israeli media initially suggested a suicide attempt, Israeli authorities ultimately indicated a terrorist act. "One of the pilots tried to crash the plane," Benjamin Netanyahu stated at a press conference. An investigation has been launched.

A pilot stabbed

The possibility of a terrorist act is being considered, according to the Israeli government, because one of the pilots was carrying a knife. His colleague was reportedly stabbed, according to the mother of a passenger, who spoke to AFP. "My daughter called me (...) and said she was in Saudi Arabia. She said that one pilot had tried to kill the other pilot with a knife," said Yasmine Abécassis while waiting for her daughter, Miriam Shira Ohayon, to return home at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv.

The suspect arrested

The suspect was arrested by law enforcement in Saudi Arabia, Benjamin Netanyahu stated. He is currently being interrogated by Saudi authorities.

After this moment of panic, two passengers who happened to be pilots managed to regain control of the plane and land it in Saudi Arabia.