This morning at 7.30am Malaysian time, we received the tragic news that Lion Air JT610 had crashed into the Java Sea minutes of taking off from Jakarta.  The Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft with 189 people on board was on a scheduled flight to Pangkal Pinang on Bangka Island.

Debris from the aircraft has been found in the sea north of Karawang.  Search and rescue operations are ongoing, and so far there is no official confirmation on the number of casualties yet.

Let us spare thoughts of compassion and pray for the victims of this tragedy and their agonised loved ones.  May survivors be quickly found, and may those who perish rest in Peace.  Sotthi.