Flydubai Passengers Recount Hijacking Attempt by Knife-Wielding Assailant

Passengers aboard a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Saudi Arabia described terrifying moments during an attempted hijacking, which ended with an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. The incident involved an assailant armed with a knife who attacked the cockpit, severely injuring the pilot. Passengers recounted hearing the plane "plummeting" and experiencing extreme fear.

Eyewitness accounts, shared via social media and interviews, detailed how passengers, including Israelis, intervened to subdue the attacker. One passenger, bleeding from his injuries, stated in a video, "We have taken control of the terrorists, we are about to land. We need help, we are landing probably in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, in an unknown area. Everyone is healthy and whole except the pilot, we need help." Another passenger confirmed the attack, saying, "They attacked us here, they tried to murder the pilot." Footage showed the pilot severely wounded.

An Israeli passenger, Miriam, told i24news that "the entire cockpit was full of blood" and that "Israelis took control of the situation and caught the stabber." She added that "several pilots on the plane took control of him and we eventually made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia." Another passenger described the experience to Galei Tzahal radio as "very scary" and feeling like the plane was in "freefall."

Passengers who rushed the cockpit were praised for their "inspiring conduct" by Dalia Spiegel, who spoke to Haaretz. The passengers are currently awaiting a replacement flight, with some still in a state of shock.