The past year was full of thought-provoking experiences for me. I had many coverage assignments that year. However, one of the most devastating momentous assignments I had was to cover the Lion Air flight JT-610 plane crash. The tragedy brought forth experiences that left scars in their wake, as well as lessons, and memories that still haunt me.

To be in the same place where victims lost their lives, as well as where their families braved the sea to mourn their losses was indeed one of the most harrowing experiences I have ever had. On board KRI Banda Aceh, I was assigned to capture every moment. However, the moments I had to record were those of sheer despair, moments of wailing and disappointment, and I could not emotionally distance myself from such potent sadness.

It was devastating, and although the families and the sight where the victims lost their lives were very close, I felt as if their feelings and their perspectives were far out of reach. I could not and still cannot find the words to express how tragic, and how horrifying it was to witness the wake left behind after the loss of numerous loved ones from many families, when family members should never have to be so forcefully torn apart.

(The Jakarta Post/Donny Fernando)

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