Guterres Condemns FlyDubai Terror Attack
UN chief Antonio Guterres expresses concern over the reported cockpit attack and relief that a major tragedy was averted.
By Anjali Sharma
UNITED NATIONS – UN chief Antonio Guterres on Thursday said in a statement issued by the UN spokesman’s office expressed his deep concern over the violent incident on board a Tel Aviv-bound FlyDubai flight on Wednesday, which saw a co-pilot reportedly attempt to crash the aircraft, killing everyone on board.
The statement said that the alleged attacker stabbed the pilot, causing the plane to plunge more than 17,000 feet in less than 30 seconds, according to media reports.
The flight’s crew and passengers entered the cockpit, overpowered the co-pilot and the aircraft made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Mr. Guterres, in a statement on Thursday, said he was “relieved that tragedy was averted”.
He strongly condemned any act that places civilian lives and the safety of civil aviation at risk.
Guterres also expressed gratitude to authorities for ensuring the safety of all passengers and for conducting investigations.
“We will continue to monitor all developments related to this incident,” the UN chief’s spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said in New York.
