India
Modi and Murmu hail pilot after 174-passenger scare
The Hindu··1 Oct
President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday hailed pilot Smit Machchhar after he thwarted a co-pilot's alleged crash attempt. Flydubai flight FZ1073 carried 174 passengers, including 27 children, and diverted to Tabuk after falling more than 17,000 feet from 34,000 feet. Modi spoke to Machchhar's wife and parents. Murmu said she prayed for his recovery.
Prism
What It Means For You
- Indian missions are providing help to passengers and crew after the diversion to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
- Families seeking updates on Machchhar can watch Indian embassy statements from Riyadh and Jeddah.
- Future flydubai Dubai-Tel Aviv itineraries may face added security scrutiny while the probe continues.
What's Happening
- Machchhar was stabbed during a cockpit altercation with the co-pilot on Wednesday.
- The aircraft transmitted emergency signals before landing at Prince Sultan Bin Abdel Aziz Airport in Tabuk.
- Modi called Machchhar a hero and said India is proud of his actions.
Who Spoke Today
- Murmu posted that even after serious injury, Machchhar remained determined to protect others.
- Government sources said Modi also stressed that Indian missions are providing all possible help.
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu separately called Machchhar a true hero.
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