From India to Australia: How 6 countries got caught up in flydubai terror

In the aftermath of the September 30 incident aboard flydubai Flight FZ1073, six countries have been officially implicated in the terror-related attack. Indian pilot Smit Machchhar, the hero of the situation, bravely subdued his Omani co-pilot, Hammam al-Hammami, during a forced emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. The incident occurred as the flight, carrying over 170 passengers and crew, including many Israeli nationals, descended sharply due to the co-pilot's attack with a crash axe.

Hammam al-Hammami, the alleged attacker, is an Omani national whose background has raised numerous questions. Reports suggest he had previously worked for Oman Air, while others claim he was barred from flying due to extremist views. Regardless, UAE authorities are leading the investigation into the attack and are questioning how al-Hammami managed to secure a position with flydubai.

Israel, one of the flight's destinations, is also involved in the investigation, with Israeli authorities scrutinizing the vetting process for foreign pilots and participating in the UAE-led probe. The incident has prompted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to order tighter security checks on pilots flying to Israel, citing concerns over the Oman co-pilot's background and the lack of diplomatic relations between Oman and Israel.

Saudi Arabia, the plane's point of landing, became an early focal point of the investigation. Saudi authorities detained the co-pilot and are conducting interrogations. Indian authorities are assisting Machchhar and his family in their recovery, while Australian intelligence has reportedly received information about al-Hammami's background, including his time studying in Melbourne. As the investigation unfolds, all six countries are working together to piece together the events surrounding the terrifying attack.