"Everyone Screamed" and Blood-Stained Photos: Why a Passenger Plane Sent a Hijacking Signal

[Anchor]

A passenger plane traveling from Dubai to Jerusalem suddenly changed its route yesterday (September 30) and sent a signal indicating it was being hijacked in mid-air. Fortunately, the aircraft landed safely in Saudi Arabia. It has been reported that the co-pilot attacked the captain with a weapon, raising the risk of a crash.

Paris, corresponding reporter Kwon Yeongin.

[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 course.

Carrying 180 passengers, the aircraft plunged rapidly before transmitting Squawk 7700 to indicate an emergency, followed by Squawk 7500, which signifies 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 the tracking system for several minutes, heightening fears of a hijacking. Fortunately, the plane made a safe emergency landing at a military base in Saudi Arabia at around 10:00 a.m. with no casualties.

[Yasmin Abukasis / Family Member of Passenger: (My daughter was on the plane) and when the plane started losing control, everyone started screaming and things were flying around.]

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 through the cockpit door and subdued the attacker.

Photos of passengers with blood stains on their clothes are being posted on social media, sharing signs of the bloody struggle inside the plane.

[Yasmin Abukasis / Family Member of Passenger: People grabbed the man's hands and pinned him to the floor. They said the surroundings were covered in blood.]

The motive for the weapon rampage has not yet been revealed, and authorities are currently investigating the suspect regarding the details and causes of the crime.

Video by Jeon Mingyu