Indian and Israeli forces have introduced Indian pilot Smith Machkar as a hero who saved the lives of passengers during a dangerous aviation incident. This event took place on Wednesday during a Fly Dubai flight, where one pilot attacked the other with the intent to crash the plane.
Details of the Incident
According to official reports, after the second pilot injured the main pilot with a knife, the plane was rapidly descending towards the ground, with its altitude dropping to about 14,000 feet (4267 meters) in less than thirty seconds. Machkar, while severely injured, managed to open the door to the cockpit, allowing passengers and crew to subdue the second pilot and another pair of pilots present on the flight to land the plane in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
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Reactions from Officials
Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, stated in a message on the social media platform X (Twitter): "He saved the lives of 174 people, including Israeli citizens and others from different nationalities. All passengers are safe." Additionally, Netanyahu described the incident as a "very serious security incident" and noted that Saudi authorities would investigate the second pilot.
Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India, also referred to Machkar as a "hero" in a message on social media X, stating: "In the face of serious dangers and despite severe injuries, he showed extraordinary courage and a strong determination to save others. His bravery saved hundreds of lives and prevented a major disaster." Modi also emphasized that Indian officials in Saudi Arabia are providing necessary assistance to Machkar and his family.
Machkar, who hails from Mumbai, India, underwent surgery following the incident and is currently reported to be in stable condition. The Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia also released a statement on social media X, declaring his condition as stable.
The reason for the conflict between the pilots is still unclear. Fly Dubai has stated that the preliminary reasons for the incident remain unknown and has refrained from any premature speculation. The airline has also suspended its flights to and from Israel pending further investigation.
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