Heart‑breaking Press Conference – Families Call for Answers
The crash of a Lion Air Boeing 737 MAX off Jakarta stunned the nation. All 189 souls aboard lost when the jet, barely a week old, plunged into the sea minutes after take‑off. Today, families met the government to demand truth.
Key moments of the emotional briefing
- Relatives’ Stand – Shocked, tear‑streaked, they questioned Transport Minister Budi Karya Sumadi and KNKT head Surjanto Tjahjono.
- Najib Fuquoni’s Appeal – “We’re the victims. Imagine being us!” He pushed for a full, independent autopsy.
- Father’s Lament – Muhammad Bambang Sukandar urged Lion Air technicians to own up to any negligence after its Bali‑to‑Jakarta leg.
- Founder’s Silence – Rusdi Kirana, present onstage, raised an eyebrow, bowed and offered a silent “Sorry” with clasped hands.
Search details – it’s not all rainbows
Three more days added to the blast‑search. Dive crews, helicopters and cargo ships comb the murky Kenyan bottom – including underwater drones. One diver paid the ultimate price in the quest for black‑box data.
What’s been found so far?
- 151 divers, 5 helicopters, 61 vessels ensuring nothing slips past.
- Partial flight data recorder recovered; 69 hours of footage downloaded.
- 138 body bags now in police hands, but only 14 could be identified.
- Enormous engine debris, a dented propeller wheel – the giant wing meets the sea.
What insights do the tech‑teams have?
- Engine hummed at a surprisingly high rpm before impact.
- No in‑air explosion. However, the plane slammed in with “extraordinary energy.”
Regulations and Safety – The Bigger Picture
Indonesia’s aviation market is bulging, yet its safety record is a mixed bag. From 2012‑2017, its transport safety panel reviewed 137 serious incidents. Lion Air experienced 15 mishaps and faces stricter international oversight now.
“Current step: we ran 11 ‘ramp checks’ on the Boeing 737 MAX 8.” – Transport Minister Budi. A deep audit will look into procedures and crew qualifications.
Bottom line: Families want answers, not excuses.
The nation waits, hoping investigators will lift the curtain on the crash’s cause. The last word? Truth matters – for those who traveled, for those who lost, and for all future passengers.
