This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-28358968

The article has changed 24 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Malaysia Airline crash: Six Britons on board says official Malaysia Airline crash: Nine Britons on board - airline
(about 2 hours later)
Six Britons were on board the crashed Malaysia Airlines flight MH17, an Amsterdam airport official has said. At least nine Britons were on board Malaysia Airlines flight MH17, with some passengers' nationalities still to be determined, the airline has said.
Some 295 people are believed to have died when the Boeing 777 came down in eastern Ukraine after taking off from Amsterdam for Kuala Lumpur. Some 298 people were on board the Boeing 777 which crashed in eastern Ukraine after taking off from Amsterdam for Kuala Lumpur.
Schiphol Airport chief executive Jos Nijhuis said some passengers' nationalities had not yet been identified. Both sides in Ukraine's conflict accused each other of shooting down the plane with a missile.
The UK Foreign Office has set up a helpline for anyone concerned.The UK Foreign Office has set up a helpline for anyone concerned.
A statement on the Malaysia Airlines website said nine of the passengers were from the UK, with 41 nationalities listed as "unverified".
Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said he was "deeply shocked" by the "appalling incident" and did not want to speculate on the causes.Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said he was "deeply shocked" by the "appalling incident" and did not want to speculate on the causes.
The British government has called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council to discuss the incident, the BBC's UN correspondent Nick Bryant says. The UK government has called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council to discuss the incident, the BBC's UN correspondent Nick Bryant says.
There have been allegations the plane - which crashed near the village of Grabovo in an area controlled by Russian separatists - was shot down.
Crisis helplineCrisis helpline
The Foreign Office said anyone concerned could text MH17 to +44 7860010026, call 020 7008 1500 or fill out an online form at https://overseas-crisis.service.gov.uk. The Foreign Office said anyone concerned could text MH17 to +44 7860010026, call 020 7008 1500, or fill out an online form at https://overseas-crisis.service.gov.uk.
Whitehall officials met on Thursday evening to discuss the incident and establish the facts, Prime Minister David Cameron said.Whitehall officials met on Thursday evening to discuss the incident and establish the facts, Prime Minister David Cameron said.
He tweeted it had left him "shocked and saddened".He tweeted it had left him "shocked and saddened".
Mr Hammond told a press conference: "We are currently working through passenger data, cross-checking it and referencing it to establish exactly the numbers and identifies of those British nationals and as soon as we have further information we will be in contact with the families."Mr Hammond told a press conference: "We are currently working through passenger data, cross-checking it and referencing it to establish exactly the numbers and identifies of those British nationals and as soon as we have further information we will be in contact with the families."
He also called for a UN-led international investigation.He also called for a UN-led international investigation.
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said "no stone will be left unturned" in the investigation into what happened.Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said "no stone will be left unturned" in the investigation into what happened.
Mr Razak said the passengers and crew had come from many different countries.Mr Razak said the passengers and crew had come from many different countries.
He added: "Today, regardless of nationality, we are all united in grief."He added: "Today, regardless of nationality, we are all united in grief."
Mr Nijhuis said that of the passengers identified so far, 154 were Dutch, 27 were Australian and 23 were Malaysian. Malaysia Airlines said that of the passengers' nationalities identified so far, 154 were Dutch, 27 were Australian and 45 were Malaysian, including 15 crew.
As well as six from the UK, there were passengers from Indonesia, Germany, Belgium, the Philippines and Canada, he added. As well as nine from the UK, there were passengers from Indonesia, Germany, Belgium, the Philippines and Canada, he added.
Avoiding Ukraine airspaceAvoiding Ukraine airspace
Ukraine's president has called the loss of the plane an "act of terrorism" as the separatist rebels denied shooting it down.Ukraine's president has called the loss of the plane an "act of terrorism" as the separatist rebels denied shooting it down.
US President Barack Obama, who spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin about the crash earlier, said it was a "terrible tragedy" and that US officials were trying to establish if any Americans had been on board.
Meanwhile, leading airlines have announced they are now avoiding airspace surrounding eastern Ukraine.Meanwhile, leading airlines have announced they are now avoiding airspace surrounding eastern Ukraine.
The Department for Transport said flights that were already airborne were being routed around the area.The Department for Transport said flights that were already airborne were being routed around the area.
British Airways said the safety and security of its customers was its top priority.British Airways said the safety and security of its customers was its top priority.
It added: "Our flights are not using Ukrainian airspace, with the exception of our once a day service between Heathrow and Kiev.It added: "Our flights are not using Ukrainian airspace, with the exception of our once a day service between Heathrow and Kiev.
"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."
Virgin Atlantic said it was re-routing "a small number of flights".Virgin Atlantic said it was re-routing "a small number of flights".
Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 - Amsterdam to Kuala LumpurMalaysia Airlines Flight MH17 - Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur