MH17: Victims still remembered one month after tragedy

Time seemed to pause and no sound was heard when locals and tourists thronged the special gallery, 'MH17 Reflection', at the Schiphol International Airport, here, Sunday to mark exactly one month after the Malaysia Airlines (MAS) MH17 tragedy took place.

The sombre atmosphere that enveloped the gallery was accompanied by a drizzle here since early morning.

At the gallery, visitors placed flowers, letters and messages, photos, candles, flags and numerous other items as signs of condolences and remembrance for those who were killed in the MH17 crash in Ukraine on July 17.

Some visitors were seen observing a few minutes of silence, some hugging family members and weeping when approaching the corner displaying the pictures and information on the passengers and crew of the ill-fated aircraft.

There were teardrop marks on the condolence books and according to the personnel at the gallery who declined to be identified, dozens of such books had been provided at the special gallery since it was opened last month.

A child tourist from Italy who only wanted to be known as Leonardo, 10, said he had written words of condolences, "We will always be with you" in the book.

A local lass who only identified herself as Maaike, 20, said the victims of the ill-fated flight would be remembered forever, adding that the Dutch had been left reeling from the tragedy.

Saying that it pained him each time he passed through the area, an airport personnel said he felt sad and hoped that the souls of all the victims were calm.

Other than at the gallery, prayers and the memory of the passengers and crew of MH17 are also in the hearts of those met around the public areas in Amsterdam and The Hague.

Parking attendant Bashah from Surinam said: "I am saddened by the tragedy, and I feel for you guys as you've have lost two planes under tragic circumstances."

Besides the MH17 plane with 298 people on board which crashed in eastern Ukraine, Malaysia is also reeling from the disappearance of MH370 which has not been seen since March 8.

Efforts to locate the missing jetliner are focused in the southern Indian Ocean.