MH370 China relatives meet wall of silence from airline

Image
AFP Beijing
Last Updated : Jun 11 2014 | 8:08 PM IST
Frustrated Chinese relatives of passengers onboard missing Flight MH370 today visited the offices of Malaysia Airlines in Beijing to confront officials after regular briefings by the airline were halted.
The relatives had previously been given regular updates on the search for the plane by airline officials at a hotel in Beijing. But the briefings were cancelled last month, to the fury of many who say they no longer have any way of making their voices heard.
Relatives organised a visit to the Beijing office of the airline to "demand answers", a message posted on their official online account said, but were turned away and refused access to airline staff.
A heavy security presence blocked journalists from entering the building and reporters interviewing relatives outside were closely watched by police, as five marked police vans were parked nearby.
"I came here today to get answers but I am not allowed to see anyone," said Dai Shuqin, who added her younger sister was on the plane.
As relatives around her collapsed onto the floor, crying in each others arms, Dai then began shouting: "I only want to find foreign journalists. I have a lot things to say to them. I want the whole world to find out what we're encountering."
The visit to the airline's Beijing office was planned as Chinese families prepare to mark 100 days since the plane disappeared on June 16. In China, the mourning period for deceased loved ones commonly lasts for 100 days.
"Almost 100 days have gone and we continue to feel tortured, helpless, and angry, said Jiang Hui, a 41-year-old IT worker.
"I am over 40 years old and I never knew the true meaning of suffering before. But over these past three months, I now know its meaning," added Jiang, whose 70-year-old mother was on the plane.
A woman answering the phone at the airline's Beijing office refused to comment when contacted by AFP.
Meanwhile, French businessman Ghyslain Wattrelos, whose wife and teenage son and daughter were on the plane, said in an interview with French Europe Radio 1 that he is convinced foul play was involved in the plane's disappearance.
"For us there's no doubt," he told the radio station. "The aircraft was hijacked."
"We get the impression that they (the authorities) are hiding something," he added.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Jun 11 2014 | 8:08 PM IST

Next Story