The initial investigation into the Omani pilot who tried to crash flydubai flight 1073 will be carried out by Saudi Arabia, an Israeli official reportedly told the press.
Once the Riyadh-led investigation into the flydubai flight 1073 incident is completed, the accused Omani co-pilot will be handed over to the UAE for another independent probe. Israel is expecting more significant findings from the Emirati investigation, Jewish media reports quoted an official as saying.
The Omani co-pilot of the flydubai flight, who is accused of wanting to crash the aircraft, was overpowered and captured in a joint effort by Israeli passengers and crew on board. It was made possible by Captain Smit Machchhar, the Indian pilot of the flight, who managed to open the cockpit door despite being stabbed by the accused. Machchhar is admitted to a hospital in Tabuk city in north-west Saudi Arabia and is receiving the necessary medical attention.
Earlier, flydubai sources had said that the accused was extremely religious in nature. He was reportedly identified by his colleagues as someone who invested morning hours in prayer and never shook hands with women.
Earlier, Reuters had reported that the UAE Prosecutor General has ordered an investigation into the incident aboard flydubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
The aircraft was diverted and landed in Saudi Arabia after an altercation in the cockpit, the state news agency reported on Thursday.
The investigation will examine the circumstances and motives, including whether it was linked to any militant activity or involved prior planning or direction. UAE judicial authorities have jurisdiction over the incident because the aircraft is registered in the UAE and flies under its flag, the statement said, adding that UAE law applies to crimes committed on board "even if they occur outside the country's territory".
Meanwhile, the Indian envoy to the UAE on Thursday met the family of "hero" pilot Captain Smit Machchhar, who thwarted an alleged attempt by his co-pilot to crash the flight. Indian Ambassador to the UAE Deepak Mittal, accompanied by Indian Consul General to Dubai Emmadi Vishnu Vardhan Reddy, met Machchhar's family members and conveyed the Indian government's full support and assistance for his welfare and well-being.
"Ambassador of India to the UAE met Captain Smit Machchhar's family in Dubai and conveyed the Government of India's full support and assistance for his welfare and wellbeing," Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on X.
The Indian mission in the UAE said that the country stands "immensely proud of Captain Smit for his exceptional bravery and selfless service."
"We are proud of Capt Smit for his bravery to save so many lives and avert a tragedy. Just met the family and conveyed the greetings, conveyed full support of the Government of India in ensuring welfare and wellbeing of the Indian Hero," Mittal posted on X.
The two envoys informed the family about Captain Machchhar's "health & recovery, conveyed that the Embassy & Consulate are in touch with the UAE authorities, and assured the family of continued support," the Indian mission in Dubai said.
