Two Maldivians detained in UAE as investigation widens into Flydubai’s attempted mid-air terror attack

Two Maldivians employed by Flydubai have been detained in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Friday evening in connection with the attempted terrorist attack on a Flydubai flight travelling from Dubai to Israel.

The incident occurred on Wednesday aboard a flight carrying 174 passengers and eight crew members. Flight-tracking data shows the aircraft first transmitted the 7700 general emergency code, and seven minutes later switched to 7500, the transponder code indicating a hijacking or unlawful interference. 

The aircraft then plunged to 14,000 feet in about 29 seconds, triggering an emergency diversion.

Israeli authorities later said the aircraft was diverted to Saudi Arabia as a precaution, adding that there was no ongoing security threat at the time of landing. 

The UAE, however, has classified the incident as an attempted terrorist act, stating that the co-pilot attacked the captain mid-flight.

The incident has drawn global attention due to the severity of what unfolded inside the cockpit. According to international reports, the co-pilot allegedly attacked the captain with a crash axe mid-flight, prompting the aircraft to transmit emergency codes and enter a rapid descent of more than 4,000 metres in under a minute. 

Despite suffering serious injuries, the captain managed to unlock the reinforced cockpit door, allowing off-duty Flydubai crew and passengers to force their way in and overpower the attacker. The aircraft diverted to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia, where the co-pilot was detained. UAE prosecutors have since classified the event as an attempted terrorist attack, and Flydubai has suspended all flights to Israel while the investigation continues. 

The captain, Indian national Smit Machchhar, is recovering and has been widely praised for preventing a major disaster.