Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Saudi Arabia has handed over the Omani co-pilot accused of attacking the captain of a flydubai flight to the United Arab Emirates, as investigators probe the cockpit assault and an alleged attempt to crash the Dubai-Tel Aviv-bound plane.
The development came after Saudi authorities conducted a preliminary investigation into flydubai flight FZ1073, which was forced to make an emergency landing in the Saudi city of Tabuk on Wednesday.
advertisement
Saudi Arabia’s Interior Ministry said its initial investigation indicated that the co-pilot had assaulted the captain during the flight. Both pilots were treated in hospital for injuries and received medical clearance before leaving for Abu Dhabi on Thursday morning, the ministry said. The preliminary investigation was conducted in coordination with security teams from the UAE.
The UAE has also opened an investigation into the incident. Its judicial authorities will examine the circumstances of the confrontation and determine what led to the emergency landing.
The probe follows a violent fight in the cockpit that left Captain Smit Machchhar injured. The aircraft, carrying passengers from Dubai to Tel Aviv, was diverted to Tabuk and landed safely after the confrontation.
Saudi authorities detained the Omani co-pilot after the landing and began questioning him before handing him over to UAE authorities.
According to the Indian mission, Indian Ambassador to the UAE Deepak Mittal visited Captain Machchhar and his family at the hospital. In a post on social media, the mission said, “Captain Machchhar is in good health and recovering well.”
It added, “The Embassy remains in close coordination with local authorities to ensure his continued medical care and well-being.”
The UAE Foreign Ministry said it was “closely following” the incident and that its judicial authorities would investigate the case.
Investigators are now examining what happened inside the cockpit, the circumstances surrounding the assault and whether the co-pilot deliberately attempted to take control of the aircraft or crash it.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
