Flydubai co-pilot’s time in Australia being investigated by security agencies after alleged cockpit attack

Police confirm investigation into period the man reportedly spent in Australia before alleged attempted terrorist attack

• Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast

Australian security agencies have launched an investigation after it emerged that the flydubai co-pilot who allegedly tried to hijack an Israel-bound flight spent about two years in the country as a student.

Disaster was narrowly averted on Wednesday when passengers and crew intervened to stop the co-pilot’s attempt to take control of the flydubai flight to Tel Aviv, which had 182 people onboard and plunged 16,625 feet (5,067 metres) in just over 30 seconds.