One of the pilots of a FlyDubai aircraft that sent a distress signal may have died from stab wounds following an onboard attack, reports infohub.kz.
According to NUR.KZ, citing Izvestia, which in turn refers to the Israeli publication Walla, the aircraft made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. According to unconfirmed reports, one of the pilots may have died from stab wounds after an attack.
"According to unconfirmed reports, the pilot who was stabbed in the air died during the flight," the report says.
Earlier, media reported that a Boeing 737 passenger plane sent a distress signal while turning over Saudi Arabia. It transmitted code 7500, indicating hijacking or unlawful interference.
Israeli Air Force fighter jets were scrambled toward the aircraft. It was later reported that the aircraft landed in Saudi Arabia.
Flydubai then told Israeli television that a fight broke out between the pilots on board the Dubai–Tel Aviv flight. Local media claim the crew consisted of two pilots — one from Russia and the other from Ukraine.
The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded to the emergency on the FlyDubai plane that sent a distress signal.
Later, the first footage from inside the plane appeared, as well as footage taken during the landing. Passengers sang and applauded during the landing.
Another version regarding the citizenship of the FlyDubai pilots was also voiced. After the version about Russian and Ukrainian citizenship, reports emerged that the pilots hold Omani and UAE citizenship.