An object here, a signal there — some might call these leads. But the search for Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 has turned up nothing. And after a month and a half, relatives of those passengers are still waiting for answers.
"Nearly two months after Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 vanished, there is still no sign of it and no answers as to how or why it disappeared. The hunt for the plane and the black boxes continues." (Via CTV)
Families of the passengers are upset that Malaysian authorities are offering to issue death certificates and final payouts without any proof of what's happened.
The father of one of the passengers on Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 tells The Malaysian Insider: "The inconsistent data and information fed to the families had caused a lot of confusion and anger. This is why it is hard for them to believe the information and data presented to them even though it is the truth."
One of the family members hopefully told CBC, "We couldn't find it in the sea, we couldn't find it on land, it's only logical that they're alive."
But now that those death certificates will be issued, The Independent notes it "could pave the way for potential lawsuits against the airline."
According to ABC, American lawyers are already looking to profit.
"They told me that a lawyer came to him and said, 'You can get a million dollars if the plane was confirmed as crashed. ... Sign something so we can do it for you.'"
Some law firms argue families facing heartbreak and grieving shouldn't have to face the hardships of excessive damages and a complicated legal field on their own. (Via The Lambert Firm)
On the other hand, many relatives aren't ready to think about these options. One man whose sister was on the flight told The Christian Science Monitor: "What we want is not money but our relatives back. They haven't found the plane yet. Without the truth and a real conclusion, how can we start a lawsuit?"
The U.S. Navy's underwater robot has already searched much of the area where four acoustic signals were last heard about two weeks ago. But those pings went silent last week. (Via CCTV)
Still, Malaysia Airlines recognizes how difficult this time has been for the families of the passengers on board.
"It has been an extremely difficult and trying period for the families. ... We remain committed to providing families with verified information when it becomes available." (Via Malaysia Airlines)
But CNN reports authorities have essentially dropped the ball when it comes to communication.
On Monday, relatives sat in a conference room in Kuala Lumpur, waiting for a briefing from Malaysian technical experts. But turns out, there would be no meeting. Emotions boiled over, with relatives yelling, sobbing and even cursing.
"We don't know at this point whether they're alive or dead. You haven't given us any direct proof wherever they are. We want our loved ones back." (Via CNN)
The search for wreckage continues, but as of Tuesday, a tropical cyclone grounded planes that were expected to fly across the Indian Ocean.
