Embassy of India in Saudi Arabia: Condition of Flydubai Captain Is Stable

Al-Taj News – The Indian Embassy in Riyadh announced on Wednesday that the condition of Indian pilot Smit Matchhar is stable after he was stabbed aboard a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv that made an emergency landing in Tabuk.

The diplomatic mission said in a statement: “Our embassy in Riyadh and our consulate in Jeddah are monitoring the health condition of Smit Matchhar, the brave Indian pilot aboard the Flydubai flight, who made an emergency landing today in the city of Tabuk. He was transferred to a hospital in Tabuk, northwestern Saudi Arabia, where he is receiving the necessary medical care.”

The embassy added: “We are still awaiting complete information about his health condition, but reports indicate that it is stable. We hope that he recovers from his injuries as soon as possible.”

Earlier, the Hindustan Times reported that Matchhar was the captain of the aircraft on the flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv. The newspaper explained that the co-pilot stabbed him with a knife during the flight, forcing the aircraft to make an emergency landing at one of Saudi Arabia’s airports.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that one of the pilots stabbed the other and apparently attempted to bring down the aircraft, adding that Saudi authorities were questioning the co-pilot after arresting him. Reuters quoted an Israeli official as saying that the co-pilot holds Omani nationality.

Meanwhile, Flydubai said that members of its crew who were traveling aboard the flight secured the aircraft, diverted its course, and landed it safely at Tabuk Airport. The company said that the motives behind the incident remain unknown and are under official investigation. Tabuk Airport announced that the pilot and his co-pilot were transferred to hospital with injuries.