China's aviation watchdog has revoked licenses of two air traffic controllers and punished 13 air traffic control officials following a near-collision of two China Eastern Airlines aircraft at Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport early this month.

On October 11, an Airbus A320 was given clearance for takeoff on flight MU5643 to Tianjin, while the other A330 had landed from Beijing was crossing the runway to get to its gate.

The quick-thinking captain of the A320 jet took the right action to continue and managed to climb the A320 over the A330. Flight MU5643 continued its flight to Tianjin without further incident while the A330 crossed runway 36L, reaching its parking stand without complications.

The A320 was just 19 meters from the taxiing A330.

The serious incident was caused by human error as air traffic control tower staff made mistakes in estimating the airplanes' "dynamic conditions," the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) said in a statement.

13 officials with the East China Air Traffic Management Bureau as well as the bureau's air traffic control center and safety management department were punished, including Party warnings, demerits, sacking and suspension of various air traffic control licenses.

"The air traffic controllers on the control tower were to blame for the 'serious accident symptoms,' who was in violation of standard operating procedures and forgot about the earlier crossing A320 takeoff clearance," the CAAC said.

The two ATC staff on duties have been revoked their licenses, and the air traffic controller in the commanding seat has also been banned from undertaking any air traffic control jobs for life.

He Chao, the A320 captain, has been granted a " first-class merit" along with other rewards for averting the ground collision, citing "making a great contribution with his precise and correct decision at a critical moment."

The CAAC urged the Air Traffic Management Bureaus to fulfill their responsibilities and attach great importance to ensuring the safe and normal operations and eliminate safety hazards.

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