A flight to Tel Aviv was dramatically diverted to Saudi Arabia after one pilot allegedly stabbed the other, with two Australian passengers confirmed safe by the foreign minister.
Key facts
- A flydubai flight bound for Tel Aviv was diverted to Saudi Arabia after one pilot allegedly stabbed the other.
- Two Australian citizens were on board and have been confirmed 'safe' by Foreign Minister Penny Wong.
- The passengers are a Jewish couple from Sydney, according to the Israeli embassy in Australia.
- Wong thanked the 'heroes' who thwarted the alleged attack.
Two Australian citizens who were on board a flydubai flight to Tel Aviv that was dramatically diverted after one of the pilots allegedly stabbed the other are safe, the foreign minister has confirmed.
The passengers are a Jewish couple from Sydney, the Israeli embassy in Australia confirmed to the Guardian on Thursday.
The flight, which had been bound for Tel Aviv, was diverted to Saudi Arabia following the alleged attack by one pilot on the co-pilot, according to the Guardian.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong thanked the ‘heroes’ who thwarted the alleged attack, as she confirmed the two Australians on board were safe.
The Guardian reported that the diversion unfolded dramatically, with the aircraft rerouted to Saudi Arabia in the wake of the incident.
Details of the condition of those involved in the alleged attack, and the circumstances surrounding it, were not specified in the available reporting.
Why it matters
An alleged in-flight attack between pilots raises serious questions about aviation safety and cockpit security on international routes. For Australian travellers, the government's confirmation that its citizens are safe offers reassurance during an alarming incident abroad.
Frequently asked questions
Were the Australian passengers hurt?
No. Foreign Minister Penny Wong confirmed that the two Australian citizens on board were 'safe.'
Where was the flight diverted to?
According to the Guardian, the flight bound for Tel Aviv was diverted to Saudi Arabia after the alleged attack.
Who were the Australians on the flight?
The Israeli embassy in Australia confirmed to the Guardian that the passengers were a Jewish couple from Sydney.