Indonesia Plane Crash: A Tragic Military Plane Crashes Leaving Over 100 Dead
In a horrifying and tragic event, an Indonesian plane crash in the country’s Sumatra Island has killed over 100 people.
According to the Guardian, the Indonesia plane crash occurred when a military transport aircraft smashed into a number of buildings moments after takeoff. The plane was engulfed in flames almost immediately upon impact. The plane was carrying 113 people including the crew, military officers, and family members.
The BBC has placed the death toll at 122 as of 10:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.
According to Reuters, the Indonesian plane crashed into a hotel and nearby homes in Indonesia’s fourth largest city, Medan, while it was heading to the Riau Islands from an air force base in Medan.
“It passed overhead a few times, really low,” Reuters quoted a receptionist of a nearby hotel saying. “There was fire and black smoke. The third time it came by it crashed into the roof of the hotel and exploded straight away.”
Apparently, technical issues on the Indonesian plane forced it to return a number of times before its fateful crash. The BBC mentioned that, although the Hercules transport plane was over half-a-decade old, the Indonesian military claims it was “in good condition.”
Yet, Indonesia has a poor record when it comes to safety regulations regarding air travel. The Aviation Safety Network listed 18 fatal aircraft-related occurrences just over the past six years.
Many hope, however, that the tragic Indonesia plane crash may compel the Indonesian government to perform an overhaul of its decades-old air force fleet.
Indonesian lawmakers are already pressuring the government to spend more money to modernize the military’s aircraft. In an interview with Reuters, Indonesian parliament member Pramono Anung said the parliament is ready to support extra funding for military upgrades.
“The Hercules is already old, many of our other (weapons) systems are already old. As parliament, we will support giving more funding to the military so that they can upgrade,” he said.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo has agreed that an evaluation of the air force’s fleet is required. According to a Daily Mail news wire, Widodo stated that the current priority is to evacuate the victims from the crashed plane and then to evaluate the condition of the planes and weapons systems.
Evakuasi korban pesawat Hercules harus diutamakan. Selanjutnya evaluasi usia pesawat dan alutsista. Semoga kita dijauhkan dari musibah -Jkw
— Joko Widodo (@jokowi) June 30, 2015
“The evacuation of victims from the Hercules plane must be prioritised. Then there must be an evaluation of the age of planes and defence systems,” President Widodo tweeted, according to a translation by the Daily Mail‘s wire. “Hopefully, we can stay away from disasters.”
World leaders and politicians took to Twitter to express their sorrow over the Indonesia plane crash.
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper conveyed his country’s “deepest condolences to the families of the victims” of the Indonesia plane crash.
I'm extremely saddened to hear of the tragic plane crash in Indonesia. Canada sends our deepest condolences to the families of the victims.
— Stephen Harper (@stephenharper) June 30, 2015
Canadian Member of Parliament Rob Nicholson said he was “deeply saddened by the news” of the Indonesia plane crash.
Deeply saddened by news of military plane crash in #Indonesia. #Canada extends condolences to families & friends of those killed & injured.
— Rob Nicholson (@HonRobNicholson) June 30, 2015
Indian Member of Parliament Rahul Gandhi also tweeted his reaction to the tragic Indonesia plane crash.
Extremely sad to hear about the tragic plane crash in Indonesia. My deepest condolences to the families of the victims: Rahul Gandhi
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) June 30, 2015
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the Indonesia plane crash as “deeply unfortunate.”
News of the plane crash in Indonesia is deeply unfortunate. My thoughts are with the families of the deceased & prayers with those injured.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 30, 2015
The official Twitter page of Russian President Vladimir Putin tweeted his condolences to the Indonesian president on the fatal Indonesia plane crash.
Vladimir Putin has expressed condolences to Indonesian President Joko Widodo over the casualties in a plane crash
— President of Russia (@KremlinRussia_E) June 30, 2015
The U.S. Department of State tweeted a video of its spokesperson John Kirby’s comments on the Indonesia plane crash.
“I also want to offer our heartfelt condolences to the Indonesian people today,” he said.
.@statedeptspox Kirby comments on plane crash in #Indonesia. http://t.co/56kXH2WBbm
— Department of State (@StateDept) June 30, 2015
The European Union’s Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Spokesperson Maja Kocijancic tweeted a link to her official statement on the fateful Indonesia plane crash. In it, she conveyed the European Union’s “deepest condolences to the government of Indonesia and the families of the victims.”
On the crash of an #Indonesia military aircraft http://t.co/O5scrn9xkF
— Maja Kocijan?i? (@MajaEUspox) June 30, 2015
[Image via Wikimedia Commons]