Travel & Experiences · 9 Proficient · October 1, 2026

Attack on Dubai-Tel Aviv Flight Under Investigation

Photo: Ramaz Bluashvili via Pexels

Vocabulary

burst into bɜrst ˈɪntu phrasal verb

to enter a place suddenly and with force

Passengers and crew members burst into the locked cockpit to stop the attacker.

intervene ˌɪntərˈvin verb

to take action to stop or prevent something from happening

The captain remained conscious and helped enable the passengers to intervene in the emergency.

custody ˈkʌstədi noun

the state of being held or kept by police or authorities

The co-pilot remains in custody while under investigation in Saudi Arabia.

Article

On a flight carrying 174 passengers from Dubai to Tel Aviv, a co-pilot attacked the captain, stabbing him and attempting to crash the aircraft. Passengers and crew members burst into the locked cockpit, overpowered the attacker, and regained control of the plane. The pilot, Indian national Captain Smit Machchhar, suffered serious injuries but remained conscious and helped enable the passengers to intervene. The aircraft made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where the attacker was arrested. Machchhar was hospitalized in stable condition and later praised as a hero by leaders including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

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