• Fifteen-year-old Gary Slok and his mother, Petra, were going on a dream vacation and snapped a photo before departure.
• In one video, there's audible preparation for liftoff from Amsterdam.
• A picture of the Boeing 777 on the runway quickly went viral after it was uploaded to Facebook. Dutch musician Cor Pan joked about its possible disappearance, referencing missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370. He and his florist girlfriend, Neeltje Tol, were supposed to go on a trip together. Friends and family had sent their well-wishes on the online post.
Social media have also been active in the aftermath of the tragedy:
• Vine videos document the mass destruction.
• A soccer star had to apologize for posting a selfie on Twitter while on the same route to New Zealand but on a different day. Two fans of Haris Vučkić's Newscastle United club were killed in the crash.
• A community memoriam Facebook page was set up for Cor Pan. It has more than 10,000 likes.
Stay with TBW for continuing coverage of MH17.
Oh yes, the tragedy of MH17 is an outrage. Over the weekend it was confirmed that the passengers and crew aboard the aircraft were the victims of a hideous crime. It was also an attack against the air transport system which is an instrument of peace.
Civil aircraft are not military targets. Governments agreed that in the Chicago Convention. And what happened with MH17 is a tragedy for 298 souls that should not have happened in any airspace.
Among the immediate priorities, the bodies of the victims must be returned to their grieving loved ones in a respectful manner. For over four days we witnessed appalling sights from the crash scene. Governments must set aside their differences and treat the victims and their families with the dignity they deserve – and this includes urgently securing the site.
The investigation must also start quickly and with total freedom and access. Actions over the weekend which slowed down progress on both of these priorities were an outrage to human decency.
We have heard news of potential progress on both these issues. But promises now need to be turned into reality with actions.
Airlines and governments are partners in supporting global connectivity. Airlines carry the passengers and cargo. Governments and air navigation service providers inform airlines about the routes that they can fly and with what restrictions. Airlines comply with that guidance.
There has been some discussion that airlines should not have been flying over Eastern Ukraine. It is important we are very clear: safety is the top priority. No airline will risk the safety of their passengers, crew and aircraft for any reason. Airlines depend on governments and air traffic control authorities to advise which air space is available for flight, and they plan within those limits. It is very similar to driving a car. If the road is open, you assume that it is safe. If it’s closed you find an alternate route.
That was the case with MH17. Malaysia Airlines was a clearly identified commercial jet. And it was shot down—in complete violation of international laws, standards and conventions—while broadcasting its identity and presence on an open and busy air corridor at an altitude that was deemed to be safe.
No effort should be spared in ensuing that this outrage is not repeated. Of course, nobody should be shooting missiles at civilian aircraft—governments or separatists. Governments will need to take the lead in reviewing how airspace risk assessments are made. And the industry will do all that it can to support governments, through ICAO, in the difficult work that lies ahead.
This was a terrible crime. But flying remains safe. And everyone involved in global air transport is fully dedicated to making it even safer.
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| Gary Slok and his mother. |
Civil aircraft are not military targets. Governments agreed that in the Chicago Convention. And what happened with MH17 is a tragedy for 298 souls that should not have happened in any airspace.
Among the immediate priorities, the bodies of the victims must be returned to their grieving loved ones in a respectful manner. For over four days we witnessed appalling sights from the crash scene. Governments must set aside their differences and treat the victims and their families with the dignity they deserve – and this includes urgently securing the site.
The investigation must also start quickly and with total freedom and access. Actions over the weekend which slowed down progress on both of these priorities were an outrage to human decency.
We have heard news of potential progress on both these issues. But promises now need to be turned into reality with actions.
Airlines and governments are partners in supporting global connectivity. Airlines carry the passengers and cargo. Governments and air navigation service providers inform airlines about the routes that they can fly and with what restrictions. Airlines comply with that guidance.
There has been some discussion that airlines should not have been flying over Eastern Ukraine. It is important we are very clear: safety is the top priority. No airline will risk the safety of their passengers, crew and aircraft for any reason. Airlines depend on governments and air traffic control authorities to advise which air space is available for flight, and they plan within those limits. It is very similar to driving a car. If the road is open, you assume that it is safe. If it’s closed you find an alternate route.
That was the case with MH17. Malaysia Airlines was a clearly identified commercial jet. And it was shot down—in complete violation of international laws, standards and conventions—while broadcasting its identity and presence on an open and busy air corridor at an altitude that was deemed to be safe.
No effort should be spared in ensuing that this outrage is not repeated. Of course, nobody should be shooting missiles at civilian aircraft—governments or separatists. Governments will need to take the lead in reviewing how airspace risk assessments are made. And the industry will do all that it can to support governments, through ICAO, in the difficult work that lies ahead.
This was a terrible crime. But flying remains safe. And everyone involved in global air transport is fully dedicated to making it even safer.
As posted by Cor Pan
LORD!
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