UAE flight to Tel Aviv diverted over Saudi Arabia, hijacking feared
Baku, September 30, AZERTAC
A Flydubai Boeing 737 operating a commercial flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv has been diverted over Saudi Arabia Wednesday morning, after briefly transmitting emergency code 7700, followed by code 7500, indicating a possible hijacking, according to TPS-IL.
The aircraft reportedly transmitted distress signals before communication with it was lost. At least 100 Israeli citizens are believed to be aboard.
There are 174 passengers aboard the plane, including 27 children. Reports indicate injuries among passengers.
The plane was reportedly diverted from its original route and is now flying over Saudi Arabia. The pilot has not yet reestablished contact to clarify whether the hijacking alert was triggered accidentally. Although such alerts can sometimes result from errors, the lack of communication has raised serious concerns.
Israeli Air Force aircraft were reportedly scrambled and armed in response to the incident.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the defense minister are convening an urgent security consultation amid fears that a passenger plane flying from Dubai to Israel may have been hijacked.
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