FlyDubai Stabbing on Israel-Bound Flight: What California Residents Need to Know
A FlyDubai flight headed from Dubai to Tel Aviv made a distress call and diverted to Saudi Arabia after a stabbing broke out in the cockpit, according to early reports from NPR, Reuters, and the Wall Street Journal. Israeli officials are already calling it a possible attempted terror attack. This story is moving fast and details are still coming in.
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Passengers on board stepped in and intervened during the cockpit stabbing, according to the WSJ. The plane was diverted to Saudi Arabia after the crew sent a distress signal. No official word yet on casualties, the condition of those involved, or exactly how many people were on board. This is developing.
For Californians with family or friends in Israel or the UAE, especially those with travel plans through Dubai's airport, this is one to watch closely. FlyDubai operates one of the busiest routes connecting the Gulf to Israel, a corridor that grew significantly after the Abraham Accords normalized relations between the two countries.
What We Know So Far
A FlyDubai aircraft on a Dubai-to-Tel Aviv route sent a distress call mid-flight. The plane diverted to Saudi Arabia. Passengers intervened in what happened in or near the cockpit. Israeli officials have said publicly the incident may constitute an attempted terror attack, per Reuters. Beyond that, the situation is unconfirmed and fluid.
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What We Don't Know Yet
Injuries, casualties, and the identity or motive of whoever carried out the stabbing have not been confirmed in available reports. The current status of the passengers and crew is also unverified. FlyDubai has not publicly commented, based on the sources available at this time.
Stay Tuned
This is a breaking, developing story. Details including injury counts, the condition of those on board, and any confirmed terror connection could change significantly in the next hour. CALWIRE will update as verified information comes in. If you have a loved one on a FlyDubai flight right now, contact the airline directly for the most current passenger information.