Condolence messages flood Twitter after bodies found at sea

Family members of passengers onboard AirAsia flight QZ8501 react, some even fainting, at the crisis centre in Juanda International Airport, Surabaya, today shortly after it was confirmed that bodies and debris were found at the Java Sea. – Reuters, December 30, 2014.After the recovery of more than 40 bodies from the Java Sea during the search for missing AirAsia flight QZ8501, social media users flocked to Twitter to share the tragic news and extend their sympathies to the grieving families and airline.

Risa Hindriapsari tweeted: "Deepest condolences for all crews & passengers of #AirAsia #QZ8501 and to all the families."

Other Twitter users also posted similar messages.

Endro Catur Nugroho relayed his message of condolences to AirAsia group chief executive officer Tan Sri Tony Fernandes.

"My deepest condolences to families of #QZ8501 passengers, my thumb (up) for the rescue team & my other thumb for AirAsia team @tonyfernandes."

Malaysia Airlines (MAS) also tweeted the firm's sympathies. It posted on Twitter: "Our prayers are with families and friends of all those onboard #QZ8501. May you continue to #staystrong throughout this difficult time."

MAS itself had gone through two major crises this year with the disappearance of MH370 in March and the downing of MH17 that was allegedly shot down by rebels in Ukraine in July.

Richie Rojo wrote: "Heartbreaking loss before we end the year. #QZ8501" while Farra Ken wrote that it would be hard to celebrate the New Year, thinking of the victims in the QZ8501 crash.

Tom (@madskiman) said: "My condolences to the families aboard QZ8501. Whilst commuting for holidays or business and then to die suddenly is no way to go. #RIP"

Nothing could comfort the families that had been waiting for news, hoping against hope that they would be reunited with their loved ones.

The Star Online reported that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has also extended his heartfelt condolences to families and loved ones of victims on board AirAsia flight QZ8501.

"I hope that search efforts continue in case of survivors. If there are no survivors, I hope that families stay strong in this trying time," the news portal reported him as saying during the launch of the Wanita Umno/BN Flood Cleanup Squad today.

Meanwhile, The Guardian reported that family members at the crisis centre at the Juanda International Airport in Surabaya wept while some collapsed in grief.

Surabaya mayor Tri Rismaharini tried to offer words of comfort, telling the grieving families: "You have to be strong. They are not ours. They belong to God."

AFP later reported that about 200 journalists were barred from the room holding the families. Even the room windows had been boarded up.

Meanwhile, Singapore's Changi International Airport was working together with AirAsia to send next-of-kin to Surabaya. The New Paper reported that travel arrangements were now being made.

By late afternoon today, the Indonesian navy had retrieved over 40 bodies from the sea.

More than 48 hours after the Airbus A320-200 lost contact carrying 162 people to Singapore, aerial searchers had spotted items in the Java Sea which officials said were from the plane. Soon after, they began recovering the bodies.

The flight was carrying 155 passengers on board, including 16 children and one infant, and seven crew members.

The passengers comprise 149 Indonesians, three South Koreans, one Singaporean, one Malaysian and one Briton.

The crew comprises six Indonesians and a French national, who is the First Officer.

- TMI