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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
World

Putting a value on the lives lost at sea

Rescue teams try to trace the origin of sounds heard from the depths of the North Atlantic in a search for a tourist submersible with five people on board that vanished on its descent to the century-old wreck of the Titanic at the US coast guard base in Boston, Massachusetts, USA on June 21, 2023
Rescue teams try to trace the origin of sounds heard from the depths of the North Atlantic in a search for a tourist submersible that vanished, in Boston, Massachusetts, US. Photograph: Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

It was a relief to read your editorial (20 June) on the contrast in news coverage and the efforts (and money) being put into finding the lost submersible with five onboard (some of whom paid around £200,000 for the experience), against the lack of care and effort to save the hundreds of lives lost in the Mediterranean last week. Of course, I hope they save the sub’s passengers, but to be shown so starkly the value that we have put on some lives against the lack of value we have put on others has been truly disturbing.
Jane Andrews
Partridge Green, West Sussex

• Re Jackie Lloyd’s annoyance at her 25p pension rise (Letters, 21 June), I felt the same when I reached that milestone. One solution might be to save the money; after 12 months she will have £13. She could then take a friend to a cafe and enjoy a coffee and a slice of cake (to share). She might even feel a warm glow towards our kindly chancellor.
Keith Mitchell
Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire

• Re your article (Aristocrat forced to open part of estate to public after council ruling, 21 June), I have long thought that the capacity of residential properties to speak was confined to Buckingham Palace and 10 Downing Street. I see that this is now extended: “Hatfield House and the marquess declined to comment.” So my correspondence will henceforth emerge from my humble home.
23 Railway Cuttings [Nigel Gann]

• Your article offers 20 ways to avoid holiday disasters (Massive discounts and midweek mini-breaks: 20 ways to book a fantastic, more affordable holiday, 22 June) – here’s one more, from Lucy Ellmann’s essay The Lost Art of Staying Put: “We could just stay at home and listen to Scarlatti.” Success guaranteed.
Peter Kaan
Exeter

• Have an opinion on anything you’ve read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication in our letters section.

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