The Indian Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate in Jeddah have officially confirmed that an Indian pilot, Smit Machchhar, sustained injuries during a mid-flight incident on Wednesday. Flydubai flight FZ 1073, which was heading to Tel Aviv, was forced to divert and make an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, following an onboard altercation. Authorities have reported that Machchhar is currently receiving medical care at a local hospital and is in stable condition as they await further updates on his recovery.

In an official statement, the embassy expressed its support for the pilot, noting that they are in constant contact with his family to ensure they receive all necessary assistance. Meanwhile, the UAE's General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has confirmed that all other passengers and crew members are safe. The airline managed to transport the stranded passengers to their original destination using two replacement aircraft, while official investigation teams continue to work on site to determine the precise circumstances surrounding the security breach.