Mourning for Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370

After 17  days, the search for survivors onboard the Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 came to a grim conclusion. The news was officially declared by Malaysia’s Prime Minister Najib Razak this past weekend, concerning the plane that was last determined to be lost in a remote area of the Indian Ocean west of Perth, Australia.

Dressed in black, the Prime Minister Razak informed family and press that the search for Flight MH370 has ceased with the conclusion that the plane plunged into the depths of the Indian Ocean and that there were no survivors.

“This is a remote location, far from any possible landing sites. It is therefore with deep sadness and regret that I must inform you that, according to this new data, flight MH370 ended in the southern Indian Ocean,” said Prime Minister Razak during his address.

Besides the incomprehensible fate of Flight MH370 of 239 passengers destined for Beijing, the reaction of the families of the victims of Flight MH370 was furthermore devastating. Family of the flight’s victims culminated at the Beijing Hotel as the news broke. A woman collapsed, sobbing out for her son. Paramedics stood by with stretchers as some collapsed, upon hearing the news. A young woman was carried out in the arms of a loved one. Without any tangible facts to bring closure to many of the loved ones of the victims of the flight, the news was undoubtedly painful to digest.

It was reported that family of the passengers of Malaysian Airlines Flight MH370 was informed before the statement by the Malaysian Prime Minister. The message, believed to have been sent by text is as follows:

“Malaysia Airlines deeply regrets that we have to assume that MH370 ended in the southern Indian Ocean. As you will hear in the next hour from Malaysia’s Prime Minister, new analysis of satellite data suggests the plane went down in the Southern Indian Ocean.

On behalf of all of us at Malaysia Airlines and all Malaysians, our prayers go out to all the loved ones of the 226 passengers and of our 13 friends and colleagues at this enormously painful time.

We know there are no words that we or anyone else can say which can ease your pain. We will continue to provide assistance and support to you, as we have done since MH370 first disappeared in the early hours of 8 March, while flying from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing.

The ongoing multinational search operation will continue, as we seek answers to the questions which remain. Alongside the search for MH370, there is an intensive investigation, which we hope will also provide answers.

We would like to assure you that Malaysia Airlines will continue to give you our full support throughout the difficult weeks and months ahead.

Once again, we humbly offer our sincere thoughts, prayers and condolences to everyone affected by this tragedy.”

Although the search for the plane continues with the efforts of the international community, the search for survivors has ceased.

The passengers of Flight MH370 were primarily from China on a routine flight set for Beijing from Kuala Lumpur. The Chinese government was less willing to quit the search for survivors. “We are still racing against time,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said. “As long as there is a glimmer of hope, our search efforts will carry on.” (NY Daily).