Kenyan flight attendants aboard a FlyDubai aircraft found themselves at the centre of a dramatic mid-flight crisis on September 30 after one pilot reportedly stabbed another while the plane was en route from Dubai to Israel.
Social media footage of the incident, which was widely shared on X, captured the tense moments inside the cockpit and cabin. Among the voices audible on the recording were Kenyan crew members speaking in Swahili as they attended to the wounded pilot. One attendant can be heard saying a phrase meaning "check if he's talking, can you talk to him?" while another follows with "put it down here," suggesting the crew were working quickly to stabilise the injured pilot and make him as comfortable as possible.
What Happened Aboard the FlyDubai Flight
According to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, one of the pilots stabbed his colleague and allegedly attempted to bring the aircraft down. Passengers on board intervened and managed to overpower the attacker before any further harm could be done. An announcement was subsequently made on the plane confirming that the situation was under control.
"We are here on the plane right now. We have taken control of the terrorists. We are about to land," a voice declared in footage circulating online.
The plane landed safely following the incident.
Kenyans Identified Among Cabin Crew
The presence of Kenyan flight attendants on the flight drew particular attention online after the distinctive Swahili phrases were picked up in the audio. The crew members' calm and focused responses in the middle of a chaotic situation were noted by many who watched the footage.
FlyDubai operates routes across the Middle East, Africa and Europe, and employs crew members from a range of nationalities, including Kenya.