Two Maldivians believed to be connected to an Omani co-pilot accused of attempting to hijack a FlyDubai flight and carry out a terrorist attack have been arrested in the UAE.

According to available information, the two Maldivians lived in the same building as the accused co-pilot, Hammam Al Hamani.

The incident took place aboard a FlyDubai Boeing 737 MAX 8 travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv with around 174 people on board. Inside the cockpit, the co-pilot allegedly attacked the captain with a knife and tried to bring the aircraft down. The plane was saved after the injured captain opened the cockpit door, allowing passengers to rush in, overpower the co-pilot and regain control of the aircraft.

The UAE has described the incident as an attack by the co-pilot intended to crash the plane and has called it an act of terrorism.