Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 Shot Down Over Eastern Ukraine
US officials have confirmed the plane was shot down, but the party responsible has not yet been identified.
295 people, including 27 Australians, have reportedly been killed after Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 was shot down over eastern Ukraine while flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur.
Malaysia Airlines has lost contact of MH17 from Amsterdam. The last known position was over Ukrainian airspace. More details to follow.
— Malaysia Airlines (@MAS) July 17, 2014
In a statement, Malaysia Airlines said it lost contact with the plane, carrying 280 passengers and 15 crew, around 50 kilometres from the Russia-Ukraine border.
US intelligence officials have confirmed that the plane was shot down by a surface-to-air missile, but it is not yet clear who is responsible.
The news comes only hours after the Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council accused Russia of shooting down a Ukrainian fighter jet.
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said the tragedy was “an act of terrorism”, and both the Ukrainian government and pro-Russian separatists have denied shooting the passenger plane down . Russian President Vladimir Putin said the Ukraine “bears responsibility” for the crash, saying: “this tragedy would not have happened if there were peace in this land”.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it had “grave concerns” that Australians were on board the flight, and urged people unable to contact their family members within 24 hours to call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on 1300 555 135, or on 61 2 6261 3305 if they are calling from overseas.
–
Feature image via Sydney Morning Herald/Reuters.