{
  "id": 11097676,
  "title": "Indian PM hails 'hero' Flydubai pilot for averting disaster",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/indian-pm-hails-hero-flydubai-pilot-for-averting-disaster",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-01T03:32:52.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Le Monde English",
    "slug": "le-monde-english",
    "url": "https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2026/10/01/indian-pm-hails-hero-flydubai-pilot-for-averting-disaster_6758130_4.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "Indian pilot Smit Machchhar was hailed as a hero by Prime Minister Narendra Modi after he was attacked by his co-pilot on a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv. The co-pilot allegedly tried to crash the plane, which was carrying 174 passengers, mostly Israeli citizens.\n\nMachchhar was seriously injured during the attack but showed immense courage and an unwavering resolve to protect the lives of others. According to New Straits Times, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also praised Machchhar for his extraordinary bravery in preventing a catastrophic mid-air disaster.\n\nThe flight was diverted to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia, and all passengers were reported safe. Modi praised Machchhar's valour, saying it helped save hundreds of lives and avert a great tragedy. He prayed for the pilot's speedy recovery, renewed strength, and good health.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Al-Monitor",
        "title": "Netanyahu and Modi hail Indian flydubai pilot as hero",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/netanyahu-and-modi-hail-indian-flydubai-pilot-as-hero",
        "published": "2026-09-30T23:46:29.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Hindustan Times",
        "title": "Cockpit stabbing, a 14,000 feet drop, 'blood everywhere': How Indian pilot Smit Machchhar saved 174 lives on flydubai plane",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/cockpit-stabbing-a-14-000-feet-drop-blood-everywhere-how-indian-pilot",
        "published": "2026-10-01T01:26:26.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Indian Express",
        "title": "Vaibhav Sooryavanshi only Indian athlete named in TIME’s 100 Rising Stars list",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/vaibhav-sooryavanshi-only-indian-athlete-named-in-times-100-rising",
        "published": "2026-10-01T01:31:33.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Press Journal",
        "title": "'Captain Smit Machchhar Is A HERO': PM Narendra Modi Hails Indian Flydubai Pilot For His Courage In Averting Major Mid-Air Tragedy",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/captain-smit-machchhar-is-a-hero-pm-narendra-modi-hails-indian",
        "published": "2026-10-01T02:21:40.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}