Arabic version: مسؤول إماراتي يقول إن مساعد طيار فلاي دبي هاجم القبطان

According to BBC News, the co-pilot of a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv attacked the captain with a crash axe in an attempt to take control of the aircraft, the United Arab Emirates prosecutor general said. More than 170 people were on board.

The aircraft plunged more than 17,000ft (5,200m) about two and a half hours into the journey. Captain Smit Machchhar said he was injured and lying on the cockpit floor when he realised the plane was descending. “I told myself to go for one last push to open the door from inside,” he said.

Passengers entered the cockpit and overpowered the attacker, while on-duty crew travelling on the flight landed the plane safely. A crash axe is usually kept in the cockpit for emergencies. Machchhar, who was stabbed, was taken to a nearby hospital and then airlifted to Abu Dhabi. The Indian embassy in the UAE said he was in good health and recovering well.

The UAE attorney general said investigators were examining the full circumstances and motives. The country’s state news agency said authorities were investigating whether the incident was linked to terrorist activity or purpose. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the co-pilot was an Omani national and said the attacker had called out, “Kill me, kill me!” after being subdued.