Here’s a rather lovely story from the aftermath of the loss of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, in 1988.
(Picture source: Air Accident Investigation Board)
This 747 was brought down by a bomb which exploded on board at 31,000 feet. The luggage suffered explosive decompression, much as would have been the case for MH017.
Most people have toothpaste in their luggage, and tubes of toothpaste burst open when subjected to explosive decompression. As a result, the contents of the suitcase end up with toothpaste forced into them.
Lockerbie, a small town of 4,000 people, lost 11 residents when the bulk of the aircraft fell in the town. The local people helped accident investigators search for debris round about, and eventually the forensics were done.
The women of Lockerbie decided that relatives would not receive their loved ones’ clothing encrusted with toothpaste.
The suitcases were distributed to volunteers, who opened them up and laundered the contents. They re-packed the cases, in some cases enclosed a note, and sent them back to the families.
It’s such a shame that similar respect is unlikely to be extended to the victims of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17.