Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak
The Malaysian Prime Minister expressed shock over the news of the MH17 crash.
“The Ukrainian authorities believe that the plane was shot down. At this early stage, however, Malaysia is unable to verify the cause of this tragedy.
But we must – and we will – find out precisely what happened to this flight. No stone can be left unturned.
If it transpires that the plane was indeed shot down, we insist that the perpetrators must swiftly be brought to justice... The flight’s passengers and crew came from many different countries. But today, regardless of nationality, we are all united in grief.”
Malaysia Airlines
"With immediate effect, all European flights operated by Malaysia Airlines will be taking alternative routes avoiding the usual route.
Malaysia Airlines flight MH17, which was on a scheduled flight from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur went down in eastern Ukraine. Malaysia Airlines confirms that the aircraft did not make a distress call.
The usual flight route was earlier declared safe by the International Civil Aviation Organisation. International Air Transportation Association has stated that the airspace the aircraft was traversing was not subject to restrictions.
As opposed to the earlier statement, the flight was carrying a total number of 298 people – comprising 283 passengers including three infants of various nationalities and 15 crew of Malaysian nationality. Some of the nationalities of the passengers are yet to be determined."
Earlier, Malaysia Airlines confirmed flight MH17 disappeared from radar when it was about 50km from the Ukraine-Russia border:
“Malaysia Airlines confirms it received notification from Ukrainian ATC that it had lost contact with flight MH17 at 1415 (GMT) at 30km from Tamak waypoint, approximately 50km from the Russia-Ukraine border.
Flight MH17 operated on a Boeing 777 departed Amsterdam at 12.15pm (Amsterdam local time) and was estimated to arrive at Kuala Lumpur International Airport at 6.10 am (Malaysia local time) the next day.
The flight was carrying 280 passengers and 15 crew onboard.”
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott
"This is a terrible tragedy for them, their loved ones, their families. My deepest, deepest condolences to everyone connected with people on this flight."
"We can assure families that at the highest levels of government we feel for them, we grieve with them, we pray for them.”
Australian Governor-General Peter Cosgrove
“I understand there are a number of Australians on board as well as many Dutch, Malaysian and other nationalities.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of those affected, their families and loved ones.
“This is an unimaginable tragedy and on behalf of all Australians I want to express our great sadness and deepest condolences at this unfolding news.
“Today we need to come together and do all we can to comfort and support each other as the impacts of this disaster filter throughout the community.”
US President Barack Obama
United States President Barack Obama says US experts will offer all possible assistance immediately.
“The United States will offer any assistance we can to help determine what happened and why. And, as a country, our thought and prayers are all the families of the passengers, wherever they call home."
"The United States is shocked by the downing of Malaysian Airlines Flight 17, and we offer our deep condolences to all those who lost loved ones on board. We continue to seek information to determine whether there were any American citizens on board."
"While we do not yet have all the facts, we do know that this incident occurred in the context of a crisis in Ukraine that is fueled by Russian support for the separatists, including through arms, materiel, and training."
"This incident only highlights the urgency with which we continue to urge Russia to immediately take concrete steps to de-escalate the situation in Ukraine and to support a sustainable cease-fire and path toward peace that the Ukrainian government has consistently put forward."
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko
President Poroshenko has called the crash of the Malaysian airliner in eastern Ukraine a "terrorist attack", and has called for a transparent investigation.
"I've just finished a conversation with the Prime Minister of the Netherlands and expressed my condolences. On behalf of Ukraine, I invited professionals and experts from the Netherlands to investigate this terrorist attack transparently. I want to point your attention to the fact that we call it neither accident nor catastrophe. It's a terrorist attack."
The International AIDS Society
Some of the passengers aboard Malaysia Airlies flight MH17 were enroute to the 20th International AIDS conference in Melbourne. The IAS released a statement this morning:
"The International AIDS Society (IAS) today expresses its sincere sadness at receiving news that a number of colleagues and friends en route to attend the 20th International AIDS Conference taking place in Melbourne, Australia, were on board the Malaysian Airlines MH17 flight that has crashed over Ukraine earlier today.
At this incredibly sad and sensitive time the IAS stands with our international family and sends condolences to the loved ones of those who have been lost to this tragedy."
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