UAE investigates possible terrorism in Flydubai cockpit assault
publishers 41articles 50first reported 1 Oct, 10:06 UTCdeveloping since 1 Oct · 2 editionstop 25 #23
The United Arab Emirates has opened an investigation into a cockpit assault aboard a Flydubai flight to Tel Aviv, including whether the incident involved terrorist intent or advance planning.
Flight FZ1073 was travelling from Dubai on Wednesday when an altercation forced it to divert to Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Tabuk, northwestern Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia’s Interior Ministry said a preliminary investigation found that the captain was assaulted by his co-pilot and that both sustained injuries. The aircraft landed safely at 9:45 a.m. local time with 174 passengers and eight crew members aboard.
Passengers described entering the cockpit to help the wounded captain after the co-pilot allegedly stabbed him and put the aircraft into a steep dive, Deutsche Welle reported. Those who intervened suffered minor cuts and bruises, but the passengers were otherwise unhurt.
Saudi authorities investigated with an Emirati security team. The captain and co-pilot were treated in hospital, then medically cleared and taken to Abu Dhabi with the Emirati team on Thursday. Other passengers continued to Tel Aviv aboard a replacement aircraft later Wednesday.
The UAE prosecutor’s office said investigators would examine whether the incident was connected to terrorist activity, involved other participants or was committed by a lone person. Emirati authorities said they have jurisdiction because the aircraft is registered in the UAE and flies under its flag. The co-pilot’s motive has not been established.
HOW THIS STORY WAS MADE
Written from 4 articles, 1 with the publisher's own text; 4 independent newsrooms once syndicated copies count as one; this version written 8 h after the record first saw the story; the editor kept it as written.
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- Source articles
- 50
- Given to the writer
- 4, 1 with the article's own text
- Independent newsrooms
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- This version written
- 8 h after the record first saw the story
- Second model (editor)
- kept as written
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