Agencies
new delhi/Abu dhabi
The Indian pilot being credited with helping save the lives of 174 passengers after being stabbed on a FlyDubai aircraft heading to Israel has “shown the world the highest form of courage,” India’s prime minister said.
Narendra Modi said on Thursday that Capt Smit Machchhar, “without fearing for his own life,” had “fought valiantly and prevented another 9/11-like attack from happening” on Wednesday aboard FlyDubai Flight FZ1073, which had to make an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Modi added that India is saluting Machchhar and is “praying for his well-being.”The Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia described the “brave” pilot as being in stable condition after being taken to a hospital.
“Captain Smit Machchhar, the Indian captain of FlyDubai Flight 1073, fought back after being stabbed in the cockpit,” according to the Israeli Foreign Ministry. “Despite being severely injured, he managed to unlock the cockpit door – allowing Israeli passengers and the Emirati crew to intervene and save all the passengers.”
The United Arab Emirates’ chief prosecutor has launched an investigation into the cockpit fight on board a Flydubai flight to Israel, which forced the plane to be diverted and land in Saudi Arabia.
Attorney General Hamad Saif Al Shamsi has formed a team of public prosecutors to investigate the midair altercation between the two pilots on board Flydubai flight FZ1073, Emirati state news agency WAM reported on Thursday.
Al Shamsi said UAE judicial authorities have jurisdiction over the incident because the aircraft is registered in the UAE and flies under its flag, adding that UAE law applies to crimes committed on board “even if they occur outside the country’s territory”.
