Prime Minister Narendra Modi has commended Captain Smit Machchhar, an Indian pilot, for his extraordinary bravery in averting a potential disaster aboard a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv. Modi described Machchhar's actions as preventing a tragedy akin to the 9/11 attacks, an assessment echoed by Israel's Consul General to South India, Orli Weitzman.
Pilot's Courage Hailed by PM Modi
Addressing the centenary celebrations of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) on Thursday, PM Modi stated that Captain Machchhar displayed immense patience, acumen, and courage. He revealed that he had spoken with Smit's parents, Bhupendra and Gita, and his wife, Sonal, earlier in the day. The Prime Minister highlighted that the pilot's heroic act fills every Indian's heart with pride and urged citizens to pray for Smit's recovery, as he is currently undergoing treatment.
Mid-Air Emergency and Diversion
The incident involved Flydubai flight FZ1073, which was en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv. During the flight, the aircraft transmitted emergency signals and experienced a sharp descent. Thanks to Captain Machchhar's intervention, the plane was successfully diverted and made an emergency landing at Prince Sultan Bin Abdel Aziz Airport in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. The flight was carrying 174 passengers, including 27 children, all of whom were saved due to the pilot's quick thinking and bravery.
'Terror Act' Investigation Underway
Orli Weitzman, Israel's Consul General to South India, confirmed the gravity of the situation, referring to the incident as a "terror act." She emphasized that without Captain Machchhar's bravery, the world would have faced a "bigger tragedy," potentially on the scale of 9/11. Weitzman hailed Machchhar as a "real hero" for risking his life to protect the passengers. Investigations are ongoing to determine who was behind the attack and how the co-pilot managed to carry a knife onboard. The attack is believed to have targeted Israeli, Emirati, and other passengers.
Uncertainty Regarding Pilot's Health
Regarding Captain Machchhar's health, Weitzman stated that the situation remains unknown, though an Israeli doctor on board attended to him immediately after the attack. She assured that despite this "scary incident," flying to Israel remains safe and underscored the strong relations between Israel and the Emirates.