Akshay DidwaniyaThe wounded Flydubai captain is receiving treatment at a hospital in Tabuk, and doctors describe his condition as stable, the Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia says.
Captain Receiving Treatment in Tabuk Hospital
The health condition of Flydubai captain Smit Macchhar, who suffered an attack mid flight, is stable. The Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia shared this update on the social network X.
“He is currently in a hospital in the city of Tabuk and is receiving the necessary medical care,” the embassy said.
Embassy Awaits Full Health Update
Diplomats still expect complete details about the Flydubai captain’s health. For now, available information suggests “it is assessed as stable.”
Flight Diverted After Onboard Attack
On Wednesday morning, a Flydubai flight bound from Dubai to Tel Aviv sent out a distress signal. The plane made an emergency landing in Tabuk soon after. The airline confirmed that a fight broke out between two pilots onboard. Media reports claim one pilot stabbed the other with a knife and tried to crash the aircraft.
Israeli Minister Calls It a Terror Attempt
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz described the incident as an attempted terrorist attack.
Attacked Pilot Confirmed as Indian National
Officials later confirmed the injured Flydubai captain holds Indian citizenship. Smit Macchhar has worked at Flydubai for four years. Before joining Flydubai, he spent ten years flying for India’s SpiceJet.
Pratik Agrawal
Mayur Mohta
The BRICS Times
Aditya Didwaniya