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| Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 crash: 'Six Britons, 23 US citizens and 80 children' feared dead after Boeing passenger jet 'shot down' near Ukraine-Russia border | Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 crash: 'Six Britons, 23 US citizens and 80 children' feared dead after Boeing passenger jet 'shot down' near Ukraine-Russia border |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Six Britons, 23 US citizens and 80 children are reported to be among those killed when a passenger jet crashed over the eastern Ukraine border amid claim and counter-claim that it was shot down. | Six Britons, 23 US citizens and 80 children are reported to be among those killed when a passenger jet crashed over the eastern Ukraine border amid claim and counter-claim that it was shot down. |
| Pictures and video emerging from the scene show bodies strewn around the site of the crash amid the charred and burning wreckage of Malaysian Airlines flight MH17, which fell down near the town of Grabovo, about 50km from the Russia-Ukraine border. | Pictures and video emerging from the scene show bodies strewn around the site of the crash amid the charred and burning wreckage of Malaysian Airlines flight MH17, which fell down near the town of Grabovo, about 50km from the Russia-Ukraine border. |
| On board were 154 Dutch passengers, 27 Australians, 23 Malaysians, 11 from Indonesia, four Germans, four Belgians, three from the Philippines and one Canadian, BBC News reported an airport official as having said. Meanwhile, Reuters said 23 US citizens were travelling on the aircraft. The nationalities of the remaining passengers were also being confirmed. | |
| The Malaysian national carrier said that the British passport holders were travelling from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur on board the Boeing 777. The aircraft is believed to have had 295 people on board – 280 passengers and 15 crew. | The Malaysian national carrier said that the British passport holders were travelling from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur on board the Boeing 777. The aircraft is believed to have had 295 people on board – 280 passengers and 15 crew. |
| A spokesman from The Foreign and Commonwealth Office said it was working to identify any British victims of the tragedy. “We are aware of the reports and are urgently working to establish what has happened," he said. | A spokesman from The Foreign and Commonwealth Office said it was working to identify any British victims of the tragedy. “We are aware of the reports and are urgently working to establish what has happened," he said. |
| While the cause of the crash has not been determined, US Vice President Joe Biden said the jet was " not an accident" but "apparently blown out of the sky", while a US official said that, while its origin was unclear, a surface-to-air missile was probably responsible. | |
| "I say 'apparently' because we don't actually have all the details. I want to be sure of what I say. Apparently, have been shot down. Shot down, not an accident. Blown out of the sky," he said. | |
| Late on Thursday, newly appointed Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond called for an international investigation to establish what happened to Flight MH17. | |
| A man works at putting out a fire at the site of the plane crash The Ukrainian Interior Minister said that 23 US citizens and 80 children were also on board, according to various agencies reporting from the scene. | A man works at putting out a fire at the site of the plane crash The Ukrainian Interior Minister said that 23 US citizens and 80 children were also on board, according to various agencies reporting from the scene. |
| The aircraft departed from Amsterdam at 12.14am local time, 15 minutes later than scheduled, according to flight records. | The aircraft departed from Amsterdam at 12.14am local time, 15 minutes later than scheduled, according to flight records. |
| It was expected to arrive in Malaysia at 6:10am local time, but did not enter Russian airspace when it was expected to, a Russian aviation source told Reuters. | It was expected to arrive in Malaysia at 6:10am local time, but did not enter Russian airspace when it was expected to, a Russian aviation source told Reuters. |
| The Eurocontrol organsiation, which co-ordinates European air traffic control, closed air routes in easter Ukraine on Thursday evening. | The Eurocontrol organsiation, which co-ordinates European air traffic control, closed air routes in easter Ukraine on Thursday evening. |
| The incident came one day after Obama levied broad economic sanctions on Russia as punishment for its threatening behaviour towards Ukraine. | |
| Amid tensions in the region, Russian President Vladmir Putin said Ukraine bears responsibility for the crash of a Malaysian airliner, the Kremlin said in a statement early on Friday. | |
| He opened a meeting with his economic advisers by calling for a moment of silence over the crash, but added: "This tragedy would not have happened if there were peace on this land, if the military actions had not been renewed in southeast Ukraine. And, certainly, the state over whose territory this occurred bears responsibility for this awful tragedy." | |
| Russian-backed Ukrainian rebels and the Ukraine government have accused each other of carrying out the ground-to-air strike, with both issuing firm denials of any involvement in the disaster. | |
| Rebel leader Alexander Borodai told the RIA-Novosti agency that discussions were under way with Ukrainian authorities on calling a three-day cease fire for humanitarian reasons. | Rebel leader Alexander Borodai told the RIA-Novosti agency that discussions were under way with Ukrainian authorities on calling a three-day cease fire for humanitarian reasons. |
| He added that international organisations would be allowed into the region. | He added that international organisations would be allowed into the region. |
| Prior to the suggestion of a truce, the Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko rejected claims by Ukraine rebels that Kiev was responsible and said his country's armed forces did not shoot at any airborne targets. | Prior to the suggestion of a truce, the Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko rejected claims by Ukraine rebels that Kiev was responsible and said his country's armed forces did not shoot at any airborne targets. |
| “We do not exclude that this plane was shot down, and we stress that the Armed Forces of Ukraine did not take action against any airborne targets,” he said. | “We do not exclude that this plane was shot down, and we stress that the Armed Forces of Ukraine did not take action against any airborne targets,” he said. |
| “We are sure that those who are guilty in this tragedy will be held responsible," he added. | “We are sure that those who are guilty in this tragedy will be held responsible," he added. |
| An official statement from the Ukraine government blamed Russian air defence systems it claimed are protecting "terrorists" in the area, according to the Telegraph. | An official statement from the Ukraine government blamed Russian air defence systems it claimed are protecting "terrorists" in the area, according to the Telegraph. |
| It said: "A large passenger aircraft Boeing 777, performing a flight between Amsterdam and Kuala Lumpur, was shot down in the eastern part of Ukraine. According to the General Staff of Ukrainian Armed Forces, the airplane was shot down by the Russian Buk missile system as the liner was flying at an altitude of 10,000 meters. | It said: "A large passenger aircraft Boeing 777, performing a flight between Amsterdam and Kuala Lumpur, was shot down in the eastern part of Ukraine. According to the General Staff of Ukrainian Armed Forces, the airplane was shot down by the Russian Buk missile system as the liner was flying at an altitude of 10,000 meters. |
| "Ukraine has no long-range air defence missile systems in this area. | "Ukraine has no long-range air defence missile systems in this area. |
| "The plane was shot down, because the Russian air defence systems was affording protection to Russian mercenaries and terrorists in this area. | "The plane was shot down, because the Russian air defence systems was affording protection to Russian mercenaries and terrorists in this area. |
| "Ukraine will present the evidence of Russian military involvement into the Boeing crash. | "Ukraine will present the evidence of Russian military involvement into the Boeing crash. |
| "The leader of the terrorists Igor Girkin (Strelkov) immediately commented on the airplane catastrophe, believing that it was the Ukrainian jet that crashed down: 'In Torez An-26 was shot down, its crashes are lying somewhere near the coal mine “Progress”. We have warned everyone: do not fly in our skies,'" the statement read. | "The leader of the terrorists Igor Girkin (Strelkov) immediately commented on the airplane catastrophe, believing that it was the Ukrainian jet that crashed down: 'In Torez An-26 was shot down, its crashes are lying somewhere near the coal mine “Progress”. We have warned everyone: do not fly in our skies,'" the statement read. |
| Emergencies Ministry members work at the site of a Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777 plane crash in the settlement of Grabovo in the Donetsk region | Emergencies Ministry members work at the site of a Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777 plane crash in the settlement of Grabovo in the Donetsk region |
| Anton Gerashenko, an aide to the Ukrainian Interior Minister, wrote on his Facebook page that the Boeing airliner, which was flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, was at an altitude of 33,000ft when it was hit by a missile fired from a Buk launcher and crashed near the city of Donetsk - a stronghold of pro-Russian rebels. | Anton Gerashenko, an aide to the Ukrainian Interior Minister, wrote on his Facebook page that the Boeing airliner, which was flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, was at an altitude of 33,000ft when it was hit by a missile fired from a Buk launcher and crashed near the city of Donetsk - a stronghold of pro-Russian rebels. |
| But Russia’s military said that none of its military planes have been flying close to the Russia-Ukraine border on Thursday, RIA Novosti reported citing a military official. | But Russia’s military said that none of its military planes have been flying close to the Russia-Ukraine border on Thursday, RIA Novosti reported citing a military official. |
| Earlier, Aleksandr Boroday, Prime Minister of the recently established Donetsk People's Republic, denied the jet had been shot down by the rebels and called the incident a “provocation by the Ukrainian military”. | Earlier, Aleksandr Boroday, Prime Minister of the recently established Donetsk People's Republic, denied the jet had been shot down by the rebels and called the incident a “provocation by the Ukrainian military”. |
| “We confirm that the plane crashed not far from Donetsk,” Boroday said. “Representatives of Donetsk People's Republic have headed to the scene of the plane search.” | “We confirm that the plane crashed not far from Donetsk,” Boroday said. “Representatives of Donetsk People's Republic have headed to the scene of the plane search.” |
| “Self-defence forces have no air-defence, which could target transport aircraft at that height,” he told Interfax. | “Self-defence forces have no air-defence, which could target transport aircraft at that height,” he told Interfax. |
| In separate reports by Interfax, an unidentified pro-Russian separatists said they have found the jet's black box flight recorder. | In separate reports by Interfax, an unidentified pro-Russian separatists said they have found the jet's black box flight recorder. |
| The Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk has ordered an investigation into what he has called an "airplane catastrophe", his spokeswoman Olga Lappo said on Thursday. | The Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk has ordered an investigation into what he has called an "airplane catastrophe", his spokeswoman Olga Lappo said on Thursday. |
| Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 takes off from Schiphol airport near Amsterdam Elsewhere, world leaders have issued responses regarding incident. US President Barack Obama calling the crash a "terrible tragedy", and said his government's priority was to determine whether any Americans were killed. | Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 takes off from Schiphol airport near Amsterdam Elsewhere, world leaders have issued responses regarding incident. US President Barack Obama calling the crash a "terrible tragedy", and said his government's priority was to determine whether any Americans were killed. |
| During a pre-planned phone conversation, Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the crash, the White House and Kremlin both confirmed. | During a pre-planned phone conversation, Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the crash, the White House and Kremlin both confirmed. |
| Meanwhile, US senator John McCain warned that there will be “hell to pay” if the Russia military or Ukrainian separatists are deemed to have had any involvement in the 'incident'. | Meanwhile, US senator John McCain warned that there will be “hell to pay” if the Russia military or Ukrainian separatists are deemed to have had any involvement in the 'incident'. |
| “If the Malaysian plane was shot down, this is obviously a game changer and has horrific consequences," he warned. | “If the Malaysian plane was shot down, this is obviously a game changer and has horrific consequences," he warned. |
| “It has the earmarks of a tragic mistake made by someone who had the capability to just shoot down an aircraft, and we know at least from the last couple of weeks that that could be Russian or separatist Russian capability.” | “It has the earmarks of a tragic mistake made by someone who had the capability to just shoot down an aircraft, and we know at least from the last couple of weeks that that could be Russian or separatist Russian capability.” |
| "But if it is the result of either separatist or Russian actions mistakenly believing this was a Ukrainian war plane, I think there’s going to be hell to pay and there should be," he said in an interview on MSNBC, citing previous reports of separatists shooting down Ukrainian fighter planes. | "But if it is the result of either separatist or Russian actions mistakenly believing this was a Ukrainian war plane, I think there’s going to be hell to pay and there should be," he said in an interview on MSNBC, citing previous reports of separatists shooting down Ukrainian fighter planes. |
| His comments followed a tweet by Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, who said he was "shocked" by reports of a plane crash, and that an investigation was being launched into the incident immediately. | His comments followed a tweet by Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, who said he was "shocked" by reports of a plane crash, and that an investigation was being launched into the incident immediately. |
| “We are keeping those services under review, but Kiev is several hundred kilometres from the incident site." | “We are keeping those services under review, but Kiev is several hundred kilometres from the incident site." |
| I am shocked by reports that an MH plane crashed. We are launching an immediate investigation. | I am shocked by reports that an MH plane crashed. We are launching an immediate investigation. |
| This video posted online purported to show the aftermath of the crash | This video posted online purported to show the aftermath of the crash |
| As pictures emerged showing loved one of those on board the flight gathering at both Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Sepang, and Schiphol airport in Amsterdam, Netherlands Prime Minister Marke Rutte said he was "deeply shocked" by the crash, NL Times reported. | As pictures emerged showing loved one of those on board the flight gathering at both Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Sepang, and Schiphol airport in Amsterdam, Netherlands Prime Minister Marke Rutte said he was "deeply shocked" by the crash, NL Times reported. |
| "I am deeply shocked by the tragic news about the crash of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur via Ukrainian territory,” he said. | "I am deeply shocked by the tragic news about the crash of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur via Ukrainian territory,” he said. |
| “Very much is still unclear about the facts, the circumstances and the passengers.” | “Very much is still unclear about the facts, the circumstances and the passengers.” |
| Shortly after the crash, Malaysia Airlines posted a tweet on its official account confirming it had "lost contact of MH17 from Amsterdam". | Shortly after the crash, Malaysia Airlines posted a tweet on its official account confirming it had "lost contact of MH17 from Amsterdam". |
| "The last known position was over Ukrainian airspace. More details to follow." | "The last known position was over Ukrainian airspace. More details to follow." |
| Malaysia Airlines has lost contact of MH17 from Amsterdam. The last known position was over Ukrainian airspace. More details to follow. | Malaysia Airlines has lost contact of MH17 from Amsterdam. The last known position was over Ukrainian airspace. More details to follow. |
| Virgin Airlines, Lufthansa and British Airways have confirmed that they are diverting most of their flights away from Ukrianian airspace. | Virgin Airlines, Lufthansa and British Airways have confirmed that they are diverting most of their flights away from Ukrianian airspace. |
| A spokesman from BA said: “The safety and security of our customers is always our top priority. Our flights are not using Ukrainian airspace, with the exception of our once a day service between Heathrow and Kiev. | A spokesman from BA said: “The safety and security of our customers is always our top priority. Our flights are not using Ukrainian airspace, with the exception of our once a day service between Heathrow and Kiev. |