THE evidence we have suggests that fighters in Eastern Ukraine spotted an aircraft at high altitude, concluded it to be hostile and shot it down.

Then they are surprised and confounded on finding it to have been an airliner carrying civilian passengers to a destination over their territory. In a war situation, every combatant wants any blame to be on the other side.

If the incident can be thoroughly investigated it will confirm this view or contradict it.

When hostilities begin the outcomes cannot usually be predicted, and the consequences can involve innocent parties.

It should make us cautious about going to war but that does not comply with the human DNA.

As people we are divided between those who switch off from noting and thinking about tragedies and others who blame and condemn those who they already hate or distrust.

I suspect those responsible will be loath to own up to it and be prepared to make amends.

The recriminations and antagonism will be a daily occurrence.

Scheduled routes for aircraft will be examined more closely and some people will be put off flying.

With all our advances, the desire for safety may be rendered more fragile.

We must find a way to settle the differences between us more sensibly.

G Bulmer, Billingham.