'Speaking, smiling & laughing': Indian envoy gives update on injured flydubai pilot Smit Machchhar's health

The Indian ambassador to UAE Deepak Mittal on Thursday met the injured Indian pilot Smit Machchhar, a day after he got stabbed by his Omani co-pilot who was allegedly trying to crash the plane. The injured pilot is said to be "speaking and laughing" and overall recovering."Amb Deepak Mittal visited Captain Smit Machchhar and his family at the hospital. Captain Machchhar is in good health and recovering well," said the Indian Embassy in UAE on X."The Embassy remains in close coordination with local authorities to ensure his continued medical care and well-being," it added.Later, Consulate General of India, Dubai gave a further update on Machchhar's health saying, as the Indian envoy went to meet him, “He was speaking openly, smiling and laughing, which was a great relief for us and, above all, for his family," it said on X."Amb said that the Captain is receiving good medical treatment and that the Indian Embassy remains in constant touch with the UAE authorities," it added.Machchhar was stabbed multiple times while fighting his co-pilot (Identity not revealed) after the latter was allegedly trying to gain control of plane to crash it. He was initially treated in Saudi Arabia but earlier on Thursday, airlifted to Abu Dhabi.Read more:Hurt flydubai pilot Smit Machchhar got emergency treatment shortly after landing; airlifted to Abu DhabiThe ministry of external affairs also gave an update, mentioning the ambassador's visit and stating, "We continue to closely follow the health condition of Captain Smit Machchhar, an Indian national and the brave pilot of FlyDubai flight FZ 1073. After receiving initial medical treatment in a hospital in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, he has now been shifted to Abu Dhabi for continued medical attention and recovery."As the probe continues to determine the exact motives of the co-pilot, an Israeli official told Associated Press that Israel expects the Emirati investigation to provide more significant findings once the Saudi probe into the incident is completed.The incident occurred aboard Flydubai flight FZ1073, which was flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv when it was diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, following an alleged attack by the co-pilot on Indian captain Smit Machchhar.Machchhar was injured but managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers to enter and intervene. Three Israeli passengers reportedly helped restrain the attacker, while two other pilots travelling on the flight took control of the aircraft and safely landed it in Saudi Arabia.Read more: 'Kill me, kill me' - Netanyahu reveals words of 'indoctrinated' flydubai co-pilotGet the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.