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SFO Passengers Tense After Malaysia Airlines MH17 Crash

SAN FRANCISCO (KPIX 5) --  A Malaysia Airlines passenger plane carrying 295 people was shot down over eastern Ukraine on Thursday, Ukrainian officials said, and both the government and the pro-Russia separatists fighting in the region denied any responsibility for downing the aircraft.

The news is stirring some anxiety among SFO passengers getting ready to fly.

Norris Wong of Seattle landed at SFO on a layover from Seattle, headed nervously now to Shanghai.

His friends texted him when they learned about the crash asking, "You sure you want to go on the plane? It's kind of crazy right now, especially overseas."

PHOTO GALLERY:
 Malaysia Airlines Plane Crashes In Ukraine

Others at SFO hadn't heard the news, but now have it in the back of their minds.

"Well, now it will be, yes, so we'll go maybe have a drink," said San Francisco resident Lisa Neimeth.

Some, realizing that a plane being shot down is even more unlikely than an accidental crash, are taking the news in stride.

"I'm never feeling calm when I'm about to board a plane," said Oakland resident Sarah Stewart. "So no, this doesn't make me feel any worse."

Malaysia Airlines does not fly out of SFO.

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