Mourners make pilgrimage to Ethiopian crash site
In Ethiopia, an ancient land of pilgrimage, people are making a grim, new journey of grief.
One by one, friends and families of the 157 people killed on Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 have made their way to the crash site with quiet offerings to the dead. Photographs. Heartfelt notes. Bouquets.
They have been placed under a makeshift, bright green floral arch, in striking contrast to the arid land. White roses were plucked from a bucket and placed in a slender frame that wavered in the wind.
Some of the relatives staggered with sorrow. One man was supported by others as he cried out. They sought footing on the freshly churned and blackened landscape. Others stood in silence: The security forces in camouflage blue, the searchers in face masks, the diplomats in polished shoes.
“We owe it to the families to understand what happened,” said
British Ambassador Alastair McPhail, who represented nine of his countrymen among the victims.
The dead came from 35 countries. Around the world, relatives numb with grief began a bewildering journey to the site outside Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa.
Yellow tape rings the scene of the crash. Onlookers watch at the edge, while close relatives have the heartbreaking right to go inside. Some carry armfuls of flowers.
“We want to go there often and make offerings,” said Dawit Gebremichael, who lost his sister.
New arrivals yesterday included Indonesia’s recently appointed ambassador, who mourned one of his countrymen.
Chinese aviation experts at the site paused and made a modest offering to the victims: Incense, fruit and pieces of Ethiopian bread known as injera.
They bowed in unison and resumed their work.