Flydubai Heroes:
“We decided to fight for our lives”
Following the attempted hijacking of a Flydubai aircraft, the passengers landed in Israel on Wednesday evening. Some of them still looked visibly shaken. Meanwhile, further details about the attacker have emerged. He is said to be a religious extremist—though with no ties to a terrorist network.
Kronen Zeitung als bevorzugte Google-Quelle hinzufügen Concerned family members and friends had been eagerly awaiting the arrival of their loved ones at Ben-Gurion Airport. Local TV stations and photographers were also on the scene. One of the brave individuals who subdued the hijacker is Asaf Rajuan. He sustained a head injury in the process, “but it’s not serious.”
“We were able to neutralize the terrorist for 55 minutes,” he told Channel 12: “I thank God and everyone who helped. Especially the two pilots who happened to be on board and landed the plane safely.”
“Just a few hours ago, I was on vacation in Thailand”
He had no doubts about the decision to storm the cockpit and subdue the hijacker, who had previously stabbed the captain and seriously injured him: “We decided to fight for our lives.” Still, he first needs to come to terms with what happened: “I’m still in shock. Just a few hours ago, I was on vacation in Thailand with my family.”
Still wearing his bloodstained T-shirt, Yaniv Hayoun was greeted at the airport by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The prime minister had previously paid tribute to the “heroes who showed extraordinary presence of mind and courage”: “They saved many lives.”
“There were moments when we thought we wouldn’t make it out alive,” an Israeli woman told television cameras after the violent incident in the cockpit. Videos circulating on social media show the harrowing moments the passengers—almost all of them Israelis—had to endure.
Captain in Stable Condition, Treated by Dentist
The seriously injured captain, Smit Machchhar, who is from India, is now in stable condition, the Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia reported. According to passengers, Machchhar is said to have opened the cockpit door with his last ounce of strength. As a result of the events of September 11, 2001, cockpit doors are locked from the inside.
He received medical treatment from a dentist on board until the plane landed in Saudi Arabia. Shota Musaev was humble in an interview with a local TV station: “I think everyone on board was a hero.” His wife, of whom he is particularly proud, prayed with the other passengers “that we would get home safely”: “That helped people.”
Religious Fanatic from Oman
The co-pilot, who is said to be responsible for the hijacking, was also injured and arrested. Nothing is known about his condition. However, the “Times of Israel” reports that he is believed to be a religious fanatic. The man, who is from Oman, “prayed several times a day and refused to shake hands with women,” according to a colleague who also works for the airline. He is said to have acted as a “lone wolf,” with no known connection to a terrorist network.
Nevertheless, Israel is tightening its regulations for air travel until further notice. Passengers should expect increased security measures and checks during check-in.
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