Serious incident on Dubai-Tel Aviv flight: co-pilot suspected of stabbing captain

A Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv was diverted after an altercation in the cockpit in which the co-pilot allegedly stabbed the captain.

The Boeing 737 MAX, carrying around 180 passengers, made an emergency landing at Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia after the situation on board escalated.

Passengers whose accounts were cited by Israeli media said they initially heard shouting from the cockpit. They then saw blood and learned that the captain was suspected to have been stabbed by the co-pilot, The Sun reported.

Several passengers and crew members entered the cockpit to help restrain the suspected attacker.

According to tracking data, the plane lost more than 14,000 feet of altitude in less than 30 seconds, causing fear and alarm among those on board.

The plane initially transmitted the emergency code 7700, followed by code 7500, which is used in cases of hijacking or unlawful interference. Following the alert, Israeli fighter jets took off to escort it.

When the plane arrived in Tabuk, passengers described a chaotic scene, and several people were reportedly covered in blood. One witness said that, for a few moments, the passengers thought they would not survive.

Flydubai and Israeli authorities said the diversion to Saudi Arabia followed a physical confrontation between the two pilots. Investigations are continuing to establish all the circumstances, including the suspected motive for the attack on the captain.

The plane landed without problems, and all passengers are reportedly out of danger.