Israel-bound passenger plane makes emergency landing in Saudi Arabia after reported fight between pilots
An Israel-bound flight from the UAE was forced to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia after a pilot allegedly stabbed his co-pilot and attempted to crash the plane. Passengers intervened to subdue the attacker, and the incident is currently being investigated as a potential terror attack.
Why it matters
This incident highlights significant aviation security concerns and potential geopolitical tensions involving air travel between Middle Eastern nations.
Passengers disembarking from the plane in Saudi Arabia. Photograph: X.com Passengers disembarking from the plane in Saudi Arabia. Photograph: X.com Israel Pilot who stabbed co-pilot on Israel-bound plane may have tried to crash it, says Netanyahu Accused pilot being questioned in Saudi Arabia as Israeli officials investigate if incident was attempted terror attack
Prefer the Guardian on Google One of the pilots of a plane flying from the United Arab Emirates to Israel stabbed his co-pilot and appeared to try to crash the aircraft, the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has said, as Israeli officials said they were investigating whether the incident was an attempted terror attack on Israelis.
Eyewitnesses reported chaos onboard as the attacker tried to barricade himself and the wounded co-pilot in the cockpit, and then attempted to disable the controls, forcing the plane to descend 17,000 feet in just two minutes.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in