Some MH370 next of kin say unsatisfied, demand more answers

Image
AFP Kuala Lumpur
Last Updated : Aug 06 2015 | 1:42 AM IST
Some relatives of those killed aboard MH370 said today's confirmation that the plane had crashed was not enough to lay the matter to rest, as they reiterated demands for answers on what caused its disappearance.
"Now I want to know where the main body of the plane is so that we can take out the passengers and get the black box so we can know what happened. Only that, for us, will be full closure," said Jacquita Gonzales, wife of MH370 chief steward Patrick Gomes.
Gonzales and some other next of kin in Kuala Lumpur were reacting to Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak's announcement that an aircraft component known as a flaperon which washed up on an Indian Ocean island had been "conclusively confirmed" as from MH370.
That ends an agonising wait for families of the 239 passengers and crew who have endured 17 months with no proof that their loved ones were dead or alive.
But some continued to harbour deep anger and suspicion toward Malaysia's government.
"I'm still not satisfied. There are still so many questions left unanswered, so many holes in the puzzle," said Lee Khim Fatt, whose wife, Foong Wai Yueng, was a flight attendant.
"Until today we have no answers. Don't just show me a flaperon. Show me more. Answer the questions," he said.
Many relatives have accused Malaysian authorities and the airline of a bungled response to the disaster, possible cover-up, and insensitive treatment of families.
Najib's announcement still leaves the baffling question of what caused the plane to veer off course and fly for hours after its communications and tracking systems were shut off, in what remains one of the biggest mysteries in the history of aviation.
Malaysian authorities insist that they still do not know what caused the plane to vanish.
*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: Aug 06 2015 | 1:42 AM IST

Next Story