Relatives of some passengers aboard the missing Malaysia Airlines flight are outraged over the conclusion the flight crashed off-course in the water.
In a text message sent to the families Monday, Malaysian authorities assumed "beyond a reasonable doubt" all 239 passengers are dead after the jet reportedly crashed into the Indian Ocean — although the details remain unclear. (Via CBS)
Now, angry relatives have marched on the Malaysian Embassy in Beijing, reportedly throwing water bottles and scuffling with police — demanding a more thorough explanation. (Via Euronews)
Malaysian officials came to the conclusion based on satellite data of floating objects in the water, leaving family members wondering how they can determine all passengers to be dead without any physical proof.
The Wall Street Journal quotes one relative saying: "What evidence does Malaysia Airlines have to prove that the plane crashed? ... They showed us nothing to prove anything."
"We just want the truth, and if you make conclusions with no exact evidence, just analysis from the satellite data, why do you make a conclusion? ... I don't believe that." (Via MSNBC)
But according to The New York Times, a Malaysian government official Tuesday released more details explaining the data, and said search efforts will now be focused in the southern Indian Ocean. He also defended the decision to release the data analysis to family members via text message.
"Although yesterday's news was incredibly hard for the family members ... it was released out of a commitment to openness and respect for the relatives, two principles which have guided us in the investigations." (Via BBC)
Meanwhile, the Australian defense minister says he's not going to conclude anything of the plane's whereabouts just yet, despite the Malaysian government's conjecture.
"This is a mystery, and until we recover and positively identify a piece of debris, everything is virtually speculation." (Via CCTV)
Search efforts for debris in the Indian Ocean near Australia have been halted Tuesday due to bad weather but are expected to resume Wednesday.
