Flight 370 Families Start Seeing Money

Initial payments of $50K go out, but more is likely to come
By Arden Dier,  Newser Staff
Posted Jun 13, 2014 10:07 AM CDT
Flight 370 Families Start Seeing Money
A couple, whose son was onboard Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, cry after airline officials refused to meet them outside the airlines' office building in Beijing, China Wednesday, June 11, 2014.   (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

There are still no answers for the families of Flight 370's passengers, but there now is money. Seven families have so far received $50,000 in initial compensation, and Malaysia Airlines' insurer is reviewing the claims of 40 more, the BBC reports. But the Wall Street Journal calls the payments "interim compensation"; the final compensation payment hasn't been decided and could end up being resolved in court.

The $50,000 payments will cost the insurer almost $12 million, the International Business Times reports. However, under international rules the families can claim as much as $175,000 per passenger—or $41.8 million total. A Malaysian official says the determination of full payment will come when "we announce the issue on the tragedy MH370 is over." The Journal notes such final amount are generally established after the wreckage is located and the cause of the crash established. (The latest clue in the flight's disappearance? A "dull oomph.")

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X