'Hijacking Incident' on Flydubai Flight...Bloodied Passenger Says 'There Were Assailants'

Reports Emerge of Brawl Between Russian and Ukrainian Pilots

Amid a hijacking incident aboard a Flydubai flight departing from Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), en route to Tel Aviv, Israel, eyewitness accounts have emerged stating that there were assailants on board and passengers subdued them.

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According to The Times of Israel and other outlets on the 30th (local time), an Israeli passenger, his face stained with blood, was filmed shortly after a scuffle broke out on board, telling the camera, "We are currently in a hijacking situation." He continued, "We have subdued the terrorists and are preparing to land. Anyone hearing me, please help us."

He added, "We are landing in an unfamiliar area called Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Everyone on board except for the captain is safe. We are in urgent need of help." The flight subsequently landed safely, and all passengers were confirmed to be unharmed.

Local media, including Channel 12, previously reported that the co-pilot stabbed the captain with a weapon and then attempted to deliberately crash the plane, but was subdued by passengers. Various reports have also emerged, such as accounts of a physical altercation between Russian and Ukrainian pilots. Additional unconfirmed reports stated that the problematic co-pilot is an Omani national, while the attacked captain is a UAE national.

Passengers of the Flydubai hijacking incident plane seen on social networking service (SNS). X

On social networking services (SNS), photos are spreading showing passengers with bloodstained clothing waiting inside the cabin. One passenger on the flight said, "There was a moment when I was convinced it was the end." He added, "There were shouts and screams, and when the cockpit door opened, I saw blood everywhere inside. Someone on board had stabbed the pilot with a pocketknife."

This passenger said that immediately following the incident, Israeli passengers and crew managed to subdue the individual who attacked the captain. He stated, "During the ordeal, we prayed and shouted 'Shema Israel' (Hear, O Israel). The plane made an emergency landing, and only then did we truly realize what we had experienced."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.