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Flydubai co-pilot who 'attacked pilot with axe in suspected terrorist attack' pictured
- On Wednesday, Flydubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv experienced an in-flight security breach when the co-pilot attacked Captain Smit Machchhar with a cockpit crash axe, causing the aircraft to plunge roughly 16,000 feet over Saudi Arabia.
- The suspect, identified as Omani national Hamam al-Hammami, had been barred from flying in Oman over extremist concerns before relocating to Dubai, where Flydubai hired him without formal background vetting through the Omani government.
- Despite severe injuries, Machchhar told Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi: "I was acting for my own life, but at the same time, I knew I couldn't let all of them die." Passengers and crew subdued the attacker; reserve pilots landed safely at Tabuk with all 180 occupants.
- United Arab Emirates Attorney General Hamad Saif Al Shamsi announced Saturday that investigations found the co-pilot "attempted to carry out a terrorist attack," while UAE senior diplomatic adviser Anwar Gargash called it a "dangerous terrorist act" Friday.
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Friday that anyone directing the attack would pay a "heavy price," claiming the co-pilot underwent "Islamist radicalization" without providing evidence; security agencies from multiple countries are investigating whether al-Hammami acted alone or had extremist affiliations.
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The investigation into the attack on a flight from Flydubai to Israel describes the co-pilot's attack on the commander as a "terrorist act".
·Montreal, Canada
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Flydubai Flight FZ1073: The co-pilot attacked the pilot with an axe and attempted to take control of the plane, according to the UAE Attorney General's Office.
·Mexico
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Authorities have already identified Flydubay's co-pilot who committed attack in full flight; an ideology of radical Islamism is being investigated
Coverage Details
Total News Sources438
Leaning Left64Leaning Right64Center51Last UpdatedBias Distribution36% Left, 36% Right
Bias Distribution
- 36% of the sources lean Left, 36% of the sources lean Right
36% Right
L 36%
C 28%
R 36%
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