A flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv triggered a hijack alert and emergency after a rapid descent. All 180 passengers are safe as investigation continues.
The flydubai Boeing aircraft issued a general emergency signal (7700) followed by a hijack danger signal (7500) within seconds.
According to flight tracking data, the plane, which was cruising at 34,000 feet, dropped 17,000 feet in just two minutes.
The sudden drop led passengers to believe the plane was either crashing or being hijacked, causing chaos in the cabin.
Media reports claim that one pilot allegedly tilted the plane downward in a suicide attempt.
A struggle and potential knife fight in the cockpit were reported as the other pilot attempted to intervene.
Investigating agencies have not ruled out the possibility of a physical altercation involving a knife inside the cockpit.
Upon receiving the hijack signal, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu immediately convened an emergency meeting with security officials.
Israel placed its fighter jets on standby to respond to any potential threat arising from the situation.
Security agencies have launched a thorough investigation at Tabuk Airport where the plane eventually landed.
After losing contact with Air Traffic Control, the pilots diverted the aircraft to Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia for a safe landing.
All 180 passengers on board are safe, and flydubai's CEO has assured Israeli authorities of their security.
A special aircraft is being dispatched from Dubai to transport the stranded passengers to Tel Aviv.
Meanwhile, another flydubai flight heading to Tel Aviv was also turned back to Dubai for undisclosed reasons.
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