{
  "id": 11626461,
  "title": "Flydubai Captain Smit Machchhar shifted to Abu Dhabi for continued medical attention",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/03/flydubai-captain-smit-machchhar-shifted-to-abu-dhabi-for-continued",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-03T06:41:23.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Hindu",
    "slug": "the-hindu",
    "url": "https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/flydubai-pilot-captain-smit-machchhar-moved-to-abu-dhabi/article71539854.ece"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Ministry of External Affairs stated on Thursday that Flydubai pilot Captain Smit Machchhar has been moved to Abu Dhabi for ongoing medical treatment and recovery following an incident on a Dubai to Tel Aviv flight. The Indian national was attacked by his co-pilot during an altercation in the cockpit on Wednesday, causing the aircraft to be diverted to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia for initial medical attention.\n\nThe MEA is keeping a close eye on Machchhar's health, as his Ambassador in the UAE met him in the hospital and inquired about his well-being, also assuring support for his health and welfare. The Ambassador also visited Machchhar's family. The motive behind the co-pilot's attack is being investigated by authorities.\n\nMachchhar has been praised globally, with President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, and U.S. President Donald Trump calling him a hero for preventing a potential disaster and saving 174 passengers, including 27 children, on the flight.",
  "summary": "Our Ambassador in UAE met Captain Machchhar in hospital and enquired about his well being, says the Ministry of External Affairs statement",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "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."
}