Colin Speakman (US)

This would only be the first stage of closure of course as the causes of what happened are still a long way from being known and for many families, only knowing that will bring true closure.

However, the agonizing wait for news of where the plane is has produced parallel emotions in those facing the loss of loved ones. There has been time to adjust as each day passed to the reality that loved ones probably are lost, time for counseling, time to think about how to move forward.

Yet the absence of the plane in bits or whatever gave hope, encouraged by prayers and if we are realistic, some unlikely scenarios - hope springs eternal. So those in agony and rightly refusing to give up hope, have not reached closure. The evidence (which some have not readily accepted) that MH370 ran out of fuel in such a remote area that it could only have ditched in the ocean, has been met, not with a resigned closure but with demands for more evidence and with a backlash against Malaysian Airlines that they are even murderers. That need to lash out and march and protest and accuse is fully understandable as a way pouring out grief.

The search area has been narrowed and intensified. The search is not being given up. We need to find more evidence so urgently. However, we also need to slowly start to adjust to the first stage of closure as in our hearts and our minds. We know the awful truth and we must plan for the next steps, to aid the families, to learn what caused all this. Malaysia lost citizens, the airline lost its flight crew, it may have lost its reputation as a major airline. Many countries are affected. Yet we do not know the causes and we must be fair to all sides.