10:42

A commercial aircraft flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv signaled an emergency a short while ago, while turning around over Saudi Arabia.

Axar.az informs, citing the Times of Israel, the flydubai flight initially sent a “squawk code” of 7700, an international emergency signal, according to flight tracking data. It then sent a 7500 code, meaning a hijacking or unlawful interference, a short time later.

Israeli Air Force fighter jets have been scrambled toward the plane, according to security sources. Hebrew media reports that the prime minister and defense minister are holding emergency consultations.

The plane now no longer appears on flight tracking sites.

Some 180 passengers are reported to be on board.

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The flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv that signaled an emergency a short while ago is expected to land in Saudi Arabia in the coming minutes.

The plane was last seen on flight tracking sites near Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia.

Israeli security sources say that once the plane lands, authorities will be able to establish a clearer picture of what occurred on the plane.

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The flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv that had signaled an emergency landed at Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia moments ago.

The incident that led the plane to issue an “unlawful interference” and another general emergency signal is apparently due to an altercation between the pilots aboard the flight, according to Israeli security sources.

No further details are immediately available.

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A passenger on the flydubai plane that made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia describes harrowing scenes to Channel 12.

“We heard screams on the plane. Then they opened the cockpit and we saw blood, and someone had stabbed the pilot with a pocketknife,” the unnamed woman tells the network via text message.

Though there is very little official information at this point, it is believed that a violent altercation developed between the two pilots.

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The Times of Israel reported, citing are unconfirmed reports from Hebrew media, based on testimonies from passengers on the plane, that one of the pilots attempted to crash the flight, and was stopped by the second pilot, with the help of passengers.