The co-pilot of flydubai flight FZ1073 attempted to carry out a "terrorist" attack during the flight, the United Arab Emirates prosecutor general, Counselor Dr. Hamad Saif Al Shamsi, said on Saturday, according to the state news agency WAM.
The co-pilot, who Reuters has confirmed, according to sources with direct knowledge of the matter, is Omani national Hammam Al-hammami, attacked the pilot inside the cockpit with a crash axe, a hand tool to aid aircraft crewmembers in emergencies, and attempted to take control of the aircraft, the prosecutor general said.
Investigations are ongoing to determine the circumstances of the incident, the motives, and any related connections, as well as to examine physical and digital evidence, he added.
The final results will be announced upon the conclusion of all necessary procedures.
UAE Prosecutor General Hamad Saif Al Shamsi's comments were the first by Emirati authorities to describe the incident as an attempted "terrorist" attack.
Israeli security officials have traveled to the UAE to question Al-hammami, Reuters reported Friday, yet the source did not specify which agency would take part in the questioning.
Netanyahu says hijacking had potential to be a disaster on 'scale of 9/11'
Prime Minister Netanyahu gave an update on the incident on Friday, characterizing the attempted hijacking as a potential "disaster on the scale of 9/11."
Regarding the Omani hijacker-pilot, Netanyahu said he "underwent Islamist radicalization."
Prime Minister Netanyahu gave an update on the incident on Friday, characterizing the attempted hijacking as a potential "disaster on the scale of 9/11."
Regarding the Omani hijacker-pilot, Netanyahu said he "underwent Islamist radicalization."
"He intended to crash the plane with all its passengers on board," Netanyahu said in a post on X. "We are now investigating whether he was sent, and whoever sent him will pay a very heavy price.”
Repatriation flights for Israeli citizens looking to return are underway, with the first flight having landed at Ben-Gurion Airport early Saturday morning after UAE authorities revoked landing permission for the El Al flight.
Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed that the first cargo flight would depart Saturday morning to retrieve passengers' luggage left behind in Dubai, following "coordination with security agencies and the relevant government ministries, and in accordance with the operational requirements needed to complete the mission."