UAE: The Public Prosecutor orders the formation of a team to investigate the Flydubai plane incident

Listen to the article. The audio text is automated, generated by an automated system

On Thursday, the UAE Attorney General ordered the formation of a team to investigate the Fly Dubai plane incident, and directed the collection of information about the incident, its circumstances and motives.

In detail, Counselor Dr. Hamad Saif Al Shamsi, Attorney General of the Federation in the Emirates, ordered the formation of an investigation team of specialized members of the Public Prosecution, to investigate the incident that occurred yesterday, Wednesday, on Flydubai flight No. (FZ1073), heading from Dubai International Airport to Tel Aviv, which led to the plane being diverted and landing safely at Tabuk Airport in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

This comes in light of what Flydubai announced regarding an altercation taking place inside the cockpit during the flight, which required the intervention of members of the company’s crew on board the plane to secure it, according to what was reported by the official news agency, WAM.

The investigation team began its work on the incident, in coordination with the General Authority of Civil Aviation and the concerned authorities in the state, and directed the Attorney General to take the necessary measures to collect information and evidence, determine the truth of the incident, its circumstances, circumstances and motives, and verify the extent of its connection to any terrorist activity or purpose or the existence of prior planning or direction for it.

The Public Prosecutor confirmed that the investigations are still ongoing, calling for avoiding speculation or circulating unreliable information about the incident before the competent authorities complete collecting and verifying the facts and not anticipating the results of the investigations, and the necessity of relying on information and data issued by official sources.

This comes as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi, on Thursday, praised Indian pilot Smit Machar, describing him as a hero for saving passengers after he was stabbed by his colleague in what is believed to be an attempt to shoot down a Flydubai plane that took off from the Emirates heading to Israel yesterday, Wednesday.

Israeli officials said that the passengers of the flight arrived in Israel safely after the passengers and crew thwarted the co-pilot's attempt to shoot down the plane. The clash began when the co-pilot stabbed the main pilot, causing the plane to descend sharply to approximately 4,267 meters in less than 30 seconds.

A spokesman for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Reuters that Machar was lying bloodied on the floor when he was able to press the button to open the cockpit door, allowing the passengers and crew to overpower the co-pilot and enabling two other Flydubai pilots who were on board to land it in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

Netanyahu wrote in a post on “X”: “He saved the lives of 174 people, including Israelis and citizens of other nationalities.” "All passengers are fine," he said earlier in a video statement published by his office.

In a post on X early Thursday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Machar, calling him a "hero."

"In the face of the most dangerous circumstances and despite being seriously injured, he showed tremendous courage and unwavering determination to protect the lives of others. His bravery contributed to saving hundreds of lives and preventing a major tragedy," Modi said.

The Indian Embassy in Riyadh said that Machar is receiving the necessary medical care in a hospital in the city of Tabuk in the northwest of the country, and that it is in contact with his family and the Saudi authorities to provide all possible assistance.

The embassy reported in a post on “X” that his condition is stable.

Hindustan Times reported that Machar, who is from Mumbai, the financial capital of India, underwent surgery following the incident.

According to his LinkedIn profile, Machhar worked with Indian airline SpiceJet for more than 11 years before joining Flydubai.

The reason for the altercation between the pilots was not clear. Flydubai said in a statement that the reasons behind the accident are still unknown, and warned against “premature speculation.” Flights to and from Israel were also suspended in light of the ongoing investigation.

Netanyahu described what happened as an “extremely dangerous security incident,” and said that the Saudi authorities would interrogate the co-pilot of Flight FZ 1073.