{
  "id": 12668317,
  "title": "‘Responding well’: MEA gives health update on pilot Smit Machchhar after flydubai cockpit attack",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/responding-well-mea-gives-health-update-on-pilot-smit-machchhar-after",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-07T17:02:31.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Hindustan Times",
    "slug": "hindustan-times",
    "url": "https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/responding-well-mea-gives-health-update-on-indian-pilot-smit-machchhar-after-cockpit-attack-flydubai-101791392226173.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar, who was critically injured during a mid-air attack by his co-pilot on a flydubai flight, is showing promising recovery at a hospital in Abu Dhabi, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). The MEA spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, informed during a press conference on Wednesday that Captain Machchhar is responding well to treatment and making steady progress. The Indian embassy in the UAE has been maintaining close communication with the hospital staff, Machchhar's family, and local authorities to ensure he receives optimal care. The aircraft, which was en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv, was hijacked by the co-pilot, Hamam al-Hammami, who allegedly attacked the captain with an axe. Machchhar managed to unlock the cockpit door, enabling the cabin crew and passengers to overpower the attacker, save 174 passengers, and safely divert the plane to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where it made an emergency landing. Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally called Machchhar, commending his bravery and emotional state during the conversation.",
  "summary": "MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal assured that Indian diplomatic authorities were in continuous contact with the hospital team overseeing his care.",
  "key_points": [
    "Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar recovering well in Abu Dhabi hospital.",
    "Co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami hijacked flight, attacked Machchhar with axe.",
    "Prime Minister Modi commended Machchhar's bravery in phone call."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Gulf News",
        "title": "Indian expats in UAE salute flydubai pilot Captain Smit Machchhar at Indian Consulate in Dubai",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/indian-expats-in-uae-salute-flydubai-pilot-captain-smit-machchhar-at",
        "published": "2026-10-07T20:29:08.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}