Flydubai has launched an investigation after an altercation occurred inside the cockpit of a flight bound for Israel.
The Flydubai cockpit altercation happened on flight FZ 1073. The aircraft issued an emergency alert and suddenly descended by thousands of feet.
The flight was later diverted to Saudi Arabia.
Africanews, citing AFP and AP, reported that the cause of the incident remains unclear.
Flydubai cockpit altercation under investigation
Flydubai confirmed that an altercation took place on the flight deck.
However, the airline said it was too early to determine what caused the incident.
“At this early stage, the underlying reasons and motives behind this event are unknown,” a Flydubai spokesperson said.
The airline urged people to avoid speculation while authorities investigate.
The captain and first officer were injured, according to a statement from Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Tabuk.
Local authorities also provided medical assistance to passengers.
Israel scrambled military aircraft
The incident caused security concerns as the aircraft travelled towards Israel.
Israel scrambled military aircraft amid concerns about a possible hijacking, according to the report.
However, Flydubai has not confirmed a hijacking attempt or any motive behind the cockpit incident.
Videos circulating on social media showed injured people inside the aircraft. The Associated Press said it reviewed footage showing passengers responding to the situation.
Radar Africa has chosen not to reproduce the graphic details of the footage.
Israeli leader comments on incident
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said passengers and crew members who intervened had prevented a major disaster.
He also said Saudi Arabia had arrested a pilot. However, the pilot’s identity was not immediately disclosed.
Saudi authorities had not publicly commented on that claim at the time of the Africanews report.
The Flydubai cockpit altercation remains under investigation. The airline has urged against drawing conclusions about the incident before investigators establish what happened.