Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday praised Indian pilot Sumit Matchar, who was seriously injured after being stabbed during a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, saying his actions prevented an aviation disaster and saved the lives of 174 people, including Israelis and nationals of other countries.
In a post on X, Netanyahu said the pilot resisted despite suffering a serious stab wound and prevented what he described as a “terrible aviation disaster,” praising what he called his exceptional bravery.
He added that the suspected co-pilot attempted to bring down the aircraft before passengers and crew members intervened to restrain him. The crew then managed to divert the plane and land it safely in the Saudi city of Tabuk.
Flydubai flight FZ1073, traveling from Dubai International Airport to Ben Gurion Airport, was involved in an incident inside the cockpit, prompting the crew to divert the aircraft and make an emergency landing at Tabuk Airport.
The UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority said the incident had been brought under control and that some crew members were injured and taken to a hospital in Saudi Arabia. Investigation teams, in coordination with the relevant authorities, are reviewing the operational and security aspects of the incident.
The authority urged the public not to circulate unofficial information or preempt the investigation’s findings, saying the results would be announced later.
Flydubai said an altercation occurred inside the cockpit and that a member of a standby pilot crew who was traveling on the flight managed to secure the aircraft, divert it and land safely in Tabuk.
The airline confirmed that all passengers and crew members were safe, saying the circumstances and motives behind the incident remain unknown and are subject to an official investigation. It urged people to avoid speculation until the investigation is completed.
Israeli reports, citing security officials, said the suspected co-pilot was questioned by Saudi authorities and that there was currently no evidence indicating the involvement of a terrorist organization or a state. Initial assessments suggested that the attacker acted alone.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, however, described the incident as a “terrorist attack attempt,” while National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said a “terrorist” had attempted to bring down the plane and kill the Israelis on board.
Israeli reports also quoted a senior security official as accusing Iran of being behind the incident, without publicly presenting evidence to substantiate the allegation.
US Attorney General Todd Blanche said the United States was closely coordinating with Israel and international counterparts over the incident. He said investigations were underway in Israel and elsewhere and that he did not want to speculate about the circumstances while the investigation remained ongoing.
US Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said the investigation was continuing and that authorities had received conflicting reports about what happened. He added that there were currently no credible threats against the United States linked to the incident.
Flydubai sent two replacement aircraft to Saudi Arabia to transport the passengers and crew. The passengers later departed Tabuk Airport for their final destination, while a replacement aircraft landed at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv.
Israel’s Transport Ministry said a joint investigation with the security establishment was underway. Israeli reports said security measures had been tightened for Israeli and foreign airlines, while Flydubai flights to Israel were suspended pending completion of the investigation.
Flight-tracking data showed that distress signals were issued after the aircraft changed course over Jordan toward Saudi Arabia. The circumstances and motives behind the incident remain under investigation.
Source: AFP + Agencies
