Flydubai co-pilot who attacked Smit Machchhar to carry out a terrorist attack studied at a UK university: Report
The Flydubai co-pilot who allegedly tried to hijack a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight and carry out a terrorist attack studied at a UK university. Omani national Hamam al Hammami reportedly attacked the captain before being overpowered. Investigations are underway into his motive and possible extremist links.
The co-pilot of a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv allegedly attempted to hijack the plane and carry out a terrorist attack. The co-pilot, identified as Omani national Hamam al Hammami, attacked the captain, Smit Machchhar, with an axe. According to Machchhar, he was initially hit from behind while looking forward, and then suffered repeated blows to the head.
The plane, which had 182 people on board, plunged 16,625 feet in just over 30 seconds before passengers and crew intervened to stop the co-pilot's attempt to take control. Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door despite his injuries and, with the help of others, overpowered the co-pilot.
The co-pilot reportedly studied at a UK university, and also spent about two years in Australia as a student, prompting investigations by Australian security agencies. The motive behind the attack and possible extremist links are currently being investigated.
Brief written by urgent.news from Live Mint, Hindustan Times, The Guardian, The Guardian Australia, Times of India — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
