sombre

After the plane set off again following the diversion, the passengers were "quite quiet and sombre," she says.

Rows of blue and yellow flags, marking the graves of fallen soldiers, pierce the sombre grey sky.

"I also feel very much for our staff who tended all these trees. The mood is sombre because the staff are passionate about the botanical collection."

The political turmoil – along with the devastating Jeju Air crash on 29 December – has created a subdued and sombre atmosphere.

There were gasps and tears but no outbursts of emotion; the atmosphere remained sombre; Megrahi was impassive; no-one banged on the glass.