QZ8501 Debris Found : Next-Of-Kins Faint While Others Calm In Accepting Fate

From: Mohd Faizal Hassan SURABAYA, Dec 31 (Bernama) -- Some fainted and screamed in disbelief while others appeared disraught, sad and cried. These were the reactions of families and next-of-kins of the ill-fated AirAsia Indonesia QZ8501 at the Juanda International Airport Terminal 2 Crisis Centre as soon as Indonesian authorities announced the discovery of some debris and bodies in the Java Sea on Tuesday afternoon. Some family members were brought out of the crisis centre on stretchers as they passed out on hearing the announcement made by the authorities in Jakarta. Airline representatives were seen hugging and holding the hands of distraught relatives who could not control their emotions any longer. There were some forlorn figures who remained speechless and preferred to be left alone. Health officials and counsellors were also on hand to calm and comfort the devastated relatives by offering drinks and taking them to a quieter area to tune in to latest updates. Several ambulances were seen parked near the crisis centre and members of the authorities were present to control the surroundings at the crisis centre. Local and international media in their haste and excitement to catch reactions and facial expression of family members live scrambled to the entrance of the crisis centre. A heavily overcast sky hung above to add to the gloomy atmosphere surrounding Juanda airport. The traffic at the airport was increasingly heavy as more people streamed in and the authorities had to mobilise additional manpower to control the traffic. A passsenger's next-of-kin, Haidar Fauzi, 60, when met by Bernama said the tragedy was fated and all parties should remain calm and patient in receiving the sad news. "I am in deep sorrow but my family have resigned to the risks involved when your child is a flight attendant with an airline. "We always pray for her safety but death is immminent whenever and wherever one may be," said Haidar who claimed his daughter Hairunnisa, 22 was a crew member of the flight. Indonesian and international media have reported that the National Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS) had detected six bodies in their search for the missing plane around Karimata Strait, near Pangkalan Bun, Central Kalimantan Tuesday afternoon. The team has reportedly detected several fragments floating in the sea within five kilometres among them an emergency exit door and life jackets. The 320-200 Airbus with 162 passengers and crew which departed from Surabaya at 5.35 am Sunday morning and scheduled to arrive in Singapore at 8.20 am lost communication with Indonesia air traffic control tower from 7.24 am. (photoBernama) -- BERNAMA