(JNS) A Wizz Air flight from Israel to the UK was forced to land in Serbia after a passenger attacked the crew and attempted to open the emergency exit mid-air.

The plane departed Tel Aviv on Monday and arrived in Serbia's capital three hours later.

Passengers had to spend the night in the Serbian capital Belgrade awaiting a replacement flight to the UK.

According to FlightRadar24, the flight departed Ben Gurion Airport at 19:50 on Monday for London Luton Airport.

However, at around 22:30, the flight appeared to divert off course to Belgrade.

Israel's Channel 12 reported the passenger tried to attack the flight crew and open an emergency exit.

A Wizz Air spokesman added: “The company is dealing with the onward flight of all customers to London.

"The safety and security of passengers and crew are the company’s top priority.

"The company regrets the inconvenience caused by this unexpected incident."

Last week, a commercial flight from the Seychelles to Tel Aviv carrying 128 Israelis made an unscheduled landing in Saudi Arabia.

The passengers spent one night at an airport hotel in the Red Sea port city of Jeddah in Mecca Province before being flown back to Israel the following day.

Meanwhile, in July, an Easyjet flight from Tel Aviv to Amsterdam made a forced landing in Venice after a reportedly drunk passenger attacked others onboard.