Džemal Bijedić was serving as the Prime Minister of SFR Yugoslavia when he, along with his wife Hafa, and six other individuals tragically lost their lives in a plane crash in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The plane, a Fokker F27, was navigating difficult weather conditions as it approached Mostar. Reports indicate that the aircraft encountered severe turbulence, leading to its catastrophic descent. All aboard were killed, which included prominent political figures and collaborators of Bijedić, highlighting the profound loss for the Yugoslav administration.

Born in 1917, Džemal Bijedić was a prominent politician who played a significant role in the Yugoslav government. As a member of the Communist Party, he served in various key positions and was close to the leadership of Marshal Josip Broz Tito. This sudden loss underscored the political instability within Yugoslavia during the late 1970s, a time marked by ethnic strife and tensions within the diverse federation.

The aftermath of the crash saw significant mourning across Yugoslavia, and it led to changes in the political landscape as the search for stability became even more pressing. This event is often remembered for its impact on Yugoslav politics, particularly as the country faced increasing ethnic divisions leading up to its eventual dissolution in the early 1990s.