MH17: Ukraine expediting 'humanitarian corridor' to allow plane crash investigation

For investigation purposes, the Ukrainian Government is currently working on expediting the 'humanitarian corridor' to allow an international team to access the site where Malaysia Airlines (MAS) Flight MH17 crashed.

Its ambassador to Malaysia, Ihor V. Humenyyi said it was important to set up the team - comprising representatives from the affected countries - to unfold the truth behind the tragedy.

Currently, the Ukranian authorities were making efforts to arrive at an agreement with political leaders of separatist groups to gain access to the crash site to recover the bodies of the victims, he told Bernama in an interview today.

Flight MH17 was flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur when it was believed to have been shot down in the Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine near the Russian border.

The aircraft with 298 people - 283 passengers and 15 crew - on board was due to arrive in Kuala Lumpur at about 6.10am Malaysian time.

Humenyyi said the investigation was very important, among others, to recover the black box.

"Of course, we would like to make the international team that would include Malaysia, the United States, Netherlands and many other affected countries to work on providing information and judgement that they need to know," he noted.

The ambassador gave an assurance that Ukraine would cooperate with the international team, not only in the investigation process but also in its humanitarian efforts.

Earlier, in an interview with Bernama TV on the Bernama Today slot, Humennyi hoped relations between Malaysia and Ukraine would not be affected by the tragedy which could potentially trigger tensions between the people of both countries.

"Hopefully, we can overcome this situation and develop our relationship in a good manner, especially to help the families of the victims," he added.

The ambassador also conveyed his condolences to the families of the crash victims.

According to international reports, Ukrainian authorities believe the Boeing 777 aircraft was shot down.

Nevertheless, both Ukrainian and Russian authorities have denied shooting down the plane.

MAS listed the number of passengers and crew, according to nationalities, as Netherlands (154); Malaysia 43 (including 15 crew and two infants); Australia (27); Indonesia (12, including one infant); United Kingdom (nine); Germany (four); Belgium (four); Philippines (three); Canada (one); and unverified passengers (20).