Flydubai Passengers Recount Terror After Alleged Hijacking Attempt

Passengers aboard Flydubai flight FZ 1073 described moments of terror and relief after surviving an alleged hijacking attempt that occurred on Wednesday evening. The flight, carrying 174 passengers, landed safely in Israel, where one man in his 50s was evacuated by Magen David Adom paramedics to Assaf Harofeh Medical Center with minor upper body injuries. The remaining passengers did not require medical attention.

One passenger recounted the harrowing experience, stating, "We all felt the plane falling at maximum speed and everyone's screams of terror. We didn't have time to think or talk or breathe. It was seconds." She added, "We were sure we were all going to die. I sent farewell messages to our parents. It was incredibly stressful."

Moshe Shota, who, along with three other Israelis, subdued the alleged attacker, described the co-pilot as "very badly injured with very heavy bleeding in the head and hands." Shota, who identified himself as the only doctor on board, managed to stop the bleeding, stabilizing the co-pilot's condition. He noted that the situation "deteriorated slightly at the last moment, just as we landed."

Shota further explained that they "took control of the terrorist and tied him up, and of course it was tough, but we succeeded. There were four of us who took control of the whole situation, and if not for that, we wouldn't be talking to you."