Crashes involving Malaysia Airlines alone have sent this year’s death toll in aviation disasters beyond the annual global average, according to figures from the International Air Transport Association. The downing of MH17, killing 298 passengers and crew, comes after the March 8 disappearance of MH370 with 239 on board.
Put together, the two Malaysia Airlines crashes account for 537 deaths – higher than the five-year worldwide average total of 517. It means 2014 is already the deadliest year for aviation since 2010. The worst year in history was 1972, according to the Aviation Safety Network, when more than 2,300 lost their lives.
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