Malaysia Airline Crash Victims Named: Newcastle Fans On Passenger List As 298 feared Killed

Odogwuemekaodogwu.blogspot.com reports that two Newcastle United fans travelling to the club's pre-season tour are believed to have been among those on board a flight that crashed in Ukraine Thursday killing 298 passengers on Board.

John Alder, thought to be in his 60s, and Liam Sweeney, 28, were on the passenger list for flight MH17, Malaysian Airlines confirmed.

The Boeing 777 from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur crashed on Thursday with 298 people on board. And already there is controversy trailing the crashing of a passenger plane in which 295 were killed in Ukraine, near Russian border, with allegation and counter-allegation that it was shot down.

The plane took off from Amsterdam, The Netherlands.The plane, which was flying to Kuala Lumpur, was travelling at an altitude of 10km (6.2 miles) when a missile blasted it mid-air, Russia’s Interfax reported.

Ukrainian officials accused pro-Russian separatists of shooting down the plane, while the rebels also fingered the Ukrainian government of the attack. The United State Government, on its part, confirmed that the plane was shot down.

Ukrainian media have broadcast audio purported to be conversations intercepted by the Security Service between pro-Russian militants, in which several men talk about having shot down a civilian plane. But separatist leader Alexander Borodai accused the government of shooting down the airliner.

“Apparently, it’s a passenger airliner indeed, truly shot down by the Ukrainian air force,” he told Russia’s state-run Rossiya 24 TV broadcaster.

The Interfax news agency reported that rebels had found the black box flight recorder, but this has not been independently confirmed.

All 295 people aboard the plane were killed, a Ukrainian interior ministry official said, blaming “terrorists” using a ground-to-air missile.

Ukraine’s Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk called the downing of the flight a “catastrophe.” He ordered that a government commission investigate the crash, a statement from his office said.

“We do not exclude that the plane was shot down and confirm that the Ukraine Armed Forces did not fire at any targets in the sky,” Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said, according to his website.

He also said he has expressed condolences to The Netherlands Prime Minister Mark Rutte about the crashed plane. He invited Dutch experts to participate in the investigation of the crash, emphasising that he does not call it an “incident” or a “catas

Newcastle United and manager Alan Pardew have paid tribute to the fans.
Mr Adler and Mr Sweeney were travelling to New Zealand to see their team play.

'Terrible news'

Newcastle's managing director Lee Charnley described the news as "devastating".

‘’We all knew how passionately John and Liam supported the team and the club”

Alan Pardew Newcastle manager

He said: "Both men were dedicated supporters of our club and were known to thousands of fans and staff alike.

"On behalf of everyone at Newcastle United we send our deepest condolences to John and Liam's families and friends."
Alan Pardew said: "Myself and all the players are deeply shocked and saddened by this terrible news.
"We all knew how passionately John and Liam supported the team and the club.
"They were with us just earlier this week for our first pre-season friendly against Oldham and their dedication to travel all the way around the world to support us in New Zealand tells you all you need to know about the passion they had for Newcastle United."
The club said it will dedicate an area surrounding the Sir Bobby Robson statue for fans to pay their respects to both men, and the manager and players will wear black armbands for both their games against Sydney FC and Wellington Phoenix.

As well as nine from the UK, there were passengers from Indonesia, Germany, Belgium, the Philippines and Canada

Flight MH17 came down between Krasni Luch, in Luhansk region, and Shakhtarsk in the neighbouring region of Donetsk - 50km from the Russia-Ukraine border.
The two sides in Ukraine's civil conflict have accused each other of shooting the jet down with a missile.
A spokesman for Malaysia Airlines confirmed both Newcastle fans were on the passenger list for the flight.
The company said that of the passengers' nationalities identified so far, 154 were Dutch, 27 were Australian and 45 were Malaysian, including 15 crew.
As well as nine from the UK, there were passengers from Indonesia, Germany, Belgium, the Philippines and Canada, he added.
Newcastle United said Mr Alder was a lifelong supporter and a familiar sight in the stands for almost half-a-century, having barely missed a single game in that time.
His neighbour, Margaret Bambra, 66, said: "I have known him for about 40 years.
"He was a lovely guy, never bothering anyone. He went to every game, he never missed a match. He was Newcastle-mad."
Fans' website NUFC.com said: "We're desperately sad to report that they were John Alder and Liam Sweeney.
"Both were well known to away followers, particularly John, whose usual matchday attire led to the affectionate nickname of "The Undertaker".
"Both were in attendance at Oldham on Tuesday, doing what they loved. Our thoughts are with their friends, families and the many fans who knew them by sight."
Fanzine The Mag, said: "It is a tragedy though for all Newcastle fans and we hope everybody, whether they knew them or not, gives a minute to think about their loss, as well as all of those other people who tragically lost their lives on that flight."
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said "no stone will be left unturned" in the investigation into what happened.
He said: "Today, regardless of nationality, we are all united in grief."



Source BBC News and Sun