Social media users have joined world leaders in praising Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar for saving lives after a mid-air emergency on a flydubai flight. Machchhar sustained serious stab wounds while trying to foil a co-pilot’s attempt to crash the aircraft. Despite being injured, he managed to press the release, opening the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to enter the cockpit and overpower the co-pilot.
Sharing his message on X, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote, “Captain Smit Machchhar is a HERO. In the face of the gravest danger and despite being seriously injured, he showed immense courage and an unwavering resolve to protect the lives of others. His valour helped save hundreds of lives and avert a great tragedy. Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, also shared a tweet about the Indian pilot. “My salute to the Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar for his extraordinary bravery. Despite being stabbed and seriously injured, he fought back, resisted, opened the cockpit door, and enabled passengers and crew to overpower the attacker — preventing a catastrophic mid-air disaster. I wish Captain Machchhar a speedy and full recovery. He is a true hero. It was awful, crazy, and we thank God that we survived it, we didn’t think we will make it but thank God we are in Israel. We are back home. And we are happy to see everyone here.”
The PM added, “He saved the lives of 174 people, including Israeli citizens and other nationals.
The flight was safely landed in Saudi Arabia by a second pair of flydubai pilots who were aboard the flight, Israeli officials said. Talking to Reuters, Lital Shachaf, who was on the flight, said, “I just can say that it was a miracle.
