"Everyone Was Screaming" and Blood-Stained Photos: Why a Passenger Jet Sent a Hijacking Signal

[Anchor]

A passenger plane traveling from Dubai to Jerusalem suddenly changed its route and sent out a signal indicating an air hijacking today (the 30th). Fortunately, the aircraft landed safely in Saudi Arabia. It has been reported that the co-pilot attacked the captain with a weapon, creating a risk of a crash.

Paris Correspondent Kwon Yeongin reports.

[Reporter]

This is a website that tracks global aircraft locations in real time.

A flydubai passenger plane flying from Dubai to Jerusalem, Israel, suddenly reverses its route.

Carrying 180 passengers, the aircraft made a steep dive and sent out Code 7700, which signals an emergency, followed by Code 7500, which indicates unlawful interference or hijacking.

The Israeli government convened an emergency response meeting, and Israeli Air Force fighter jets were even deployed.

Around 9:30 a.m. local time, the aircraft disappeared from tracking systems for several minutes, heightening fears of a hijacking. Fortunately, the plane made a safe emergency landing at a military base in Saudi Arabia around 10:00 a.m. with no casualties.

[Yasmin Abukassis / Passenger's Family Member: (My daughter was on the plane) and when the plane started losing control, everyone started screaming and objects were flying everywhere.]

Investigations revealed that a brawl had broken out between the pilots inside the cockpit.

According to Israeli media, an Israeli government official stated that the co-pilot stabbed the captain with a weapon and attempted to crash the plane.

There are also testimonies from passengers stating that crew members and passengers broke down the cockpit door and subdued him.

Photos of passengers with blood stains on their clothes have been uploaded to social media, sharing details of the fierce struggle inside the plane.

[Yasmin Abukassis / Passenger's Family Member: People grabbed that man's hands and pinned him to the floor. They said it was bloody all around.]

The motive behind the weapon attack has not yet been revealed, and authorities are currently investigating the circumstances and cause of the crime against the suspect.

Video by Jeon Mingyu

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