June 21

On June 21, 1985, Braathens SAFE Flight 139 was seized by a lone hijacker just before landing at Oslo’s Fornebu Airport in Norway. The hijacker made unspecified demands, prompting a tense standoff on the tarmac. After careful negotiations, the Norwegian special forces unit Delta stormed the aircraft and took the suspect into custody. All passengers and crew disembarked safely, and no one was harmed during the incident. The operation demonstrated the effectiveness of Norway’s anti-terror protocols and skyjacking response teams. This event remains a notable example of a well-executed counter-terrorism action that prioritized the lives of civilians.

On June 21, 2006, a Yeti Airlines de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter crashed upon landing at Jumla Airport in Nepal’s remote Karnali Province. The aircraft, carrying 14 passengers and crew, encountered challenging weather and mountainous terrain, contributing to the fatal accident. Rescue efforts were hampered by limited infrastructure and poor visibility in the region. Nine individuals lost their lives, while survivors were treated at local hospitals. The crash prompted calls for improved safety measures on Nepal’s rugged domestic flight routes and highlighted the difficulties of aviation in high-altitude environments.

On June 21, 2012, a boat carrying over 200 asylum seekers from Indonesia capsized in rough seas between Java and Australia’s Christmas Island. Seventeen people drowned, and around 70 passengers remained unaccounted for after the tragedy. The ill-equipped vessel was part of a larger movement of migrants seeking refuge in Australia, often facing perilous sea journeys. Search and rescue operations by Indonesian and Australian authorities recovered survivors and bodies. The disaster sparked renewed debate over regional migration policies, maritime safety, and humanitarian responsibilities toward displaced populations.

On June 21, 2012, an Indonesian Air Force Fokker F27 Friendship transport aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff from Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport in Jakarta. The aircraft was on a routine flight carrying military personnel to a training exercise when it lost contact with air traffic control. All eleven individuals aboard perished in the accident, prompting an immediate investigation. Indonesian military officials cited potential mechanical failure and poor weather conditions as possible factors. The tragedy underscored ongoing concerns about the maintenance and safety of aging fleets in military aviation.