【Mashable】Live Updates on MH17: Ukraine Says It Has Proof That Russia Helped Down Plane (596) A pro-Russian fighter guards the crash site of a Malaysia Airlines jet near the village of Hrabove, eastern Ukraine, Saturday, July 19, 2014.Image: Evgeniy Maloletka/Associated Press Mashable is following the latest reports on the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17. See our previous coverage here. 3 things you need to know: Malaysia Airlines released a full list of the names and nationalities of Flight 17s passengers and crew members. There were 298 people on board, including 193 Dutch victims. The U.S. State Department says pro-Russian separatists are tampering with the crash site, but a rebel leader had earlier denied any interference. Local emergency workers are bagging and moving bodies from the crash site. REPORTERS IN UKRAINE: Christopher Miller (@christopherjm) | EDITORS ON DUTY IN NEW YORK, TORONTO AND AUSTRALIA: Louise Roug (@louiseroug), Anita Li (@neeeda) and Jenni Ryall (@jennijenni)10 p.m. ET: U.S. deeply concerned about crash site The U.S. State Department on Saturday blamed the pro-Russian separatists roaming the crash site in eastern Ukraine for impeding an international investigation, citing multiple reports of bodies being removed, parts of the plane and other debris being hauled away, and potential evidence tampered with. Mashables Christopher Miller has seen much of that on the ground, describing a scene of disorder amid the wreckage as masked gunmen with no clear line of command turn away international observers. Meanwhile, The Wall Street Journal, quoting unnamed U.S. officials, reported that American intelligence assessments show that Russia likely supplied the separatists with antiaircraft weaponry, which was then apparently moved back across the border into Russia after the crash, perhaps as part of a coverup. Here is the full statement from the U.S. State Department: We are deeply concerned by the Russia-backed separatists’ refusal to allow OSCE monitors safe and unfettered access to the crash site of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17. Yesterday, the monitors were allowed only 75 minutes at the site. Today, they were allowed less than three hours. Thus far, the separatists have only allowed monitors to have limited access to a small area. The site is not secure, and there are multiple reports of bodies being removed, parts of the plane and other debris being hauled away, and potential evidence tampered with. This is unacceptable and an affront to all those who lost loved ones and to the dignity the victims deserve. It is critical that there be a full, credible, and unimpeded international investigation as quickly as possible. Russia-backed separatists committed Thursday to allowing full access to international observers and response teams and Russia supported an OSCE statement calling for the same. We urge Russia to honor its commitments and to publicly call on the separatists to do the same.5 p.m. ET: Dutch professional cyclist escapes both Malaysia Airlines crashes A Dutch cyclist riding for the Terrengganu team in Malaysia avoided both Malaysia Airlines Flight 17, which was shot down over eastern Ukraine on Thursday, and Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, which disappeared in March while en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. Maarten de Jonge, 29, was scheduled to travel back to Kuala Lumpur on Flight 17 from Amsterdam on Thursday, after visiting the Netherlands to participate in national championships, according to Bloomberg. But he decided to switch to a flight via Frankfurt on Sunday to save money. In March, he took another Malaysia Airlines flight out of Kuala Lumpur at the same time and in the same direction as Flight 370, Bloomberg reported. “I could have taken that one just as easily,” de Jonge said in an interview with RTV Oost. “It’s inconceivable. I am very sorry for the passengers and their families, yet I am very pleased I’m unharmed.”4:30 p.m. ET: U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry urges Russia to reduce tensions in Ukraine A tweet published Saturday afternoon by the U.S. Department of State said Secretary of State John Kerry spoke with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in a call, and urged Russia to take immediate and clear actions to reduce tensions in Ukraine. In a call today with Foreign Minister Lavrov, @JohnKerry urged #Russia to take immediate and clear actions to reduce tensions in #Ukraine. — Department of State (@StateDept) July 19, 2014 3:30 p.m. ET: Dutch prime minister says Putin has one last chance to show he wants to help in Flight 17 disaster Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said on Saturday that Russian President Vladimir Putin has one last chance to show he means to help rescuers recover the bodies of the 298 passengers on board Flight 17, according to Reuters. There were 193 Dutch citizens on board the plane, which was shot down over eastern Ukraine Thursday. I was shocked at the pictures of utterly disrespectful behavior at this tragic spot. Its revolting, Rutte said, referring to allegations that victims bodies were being dragged around, and left to rot. The prime ministers statement came minutes after he had a very intense conversation with Putin, Reuters reported. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte (center) speaks next to counter-terrorism unit coordinator Dick Schoof (left) and Minister of Security and Justice Ivo Opstelten (right) during a press conference in The Hague, on July 18, 2014, after a Malaysian airliner with 298 people on board crashed in rebel-held east Ukraine. 3 p.m. ET: Singapore Airlines apologizes for Facebook post deemed insensitive Singapore Airlines apologized for a Facebook post that some commentators deemed insensitive in the wake of Flight 17s downing. We recognise that the information could have been better communicated and we sincerely apologise if it had offended our customers and anyone else in the online community, a company spokesperson told Yahoo Singapore. Posted on Thursday, the airlines initial update said, Customers may wish to note that Singapore Airlines are not using Ukraine airspace. Post by Singapore Airlines. In its apology, Singapore Airlines said it published the post in response to many requests from our customers who had asked for information about our flight routes for their upcoming flights with us. Later that day, the company acknowledged the Malaysia Airlines tragedy in a follow-up post: Post by Singapore Airlines. 1:30 p.m. ET: Ukrainian government says it can prove Russia supplied the arms system that shot down Flight 17 The Ukrainian government said on Saturday it had proof that Russia provided the surface-to-air missile system that shot down Flight 17. Vitaly Nadya, head of counterintelligence for the Ukrainian State Security Service, revealed photographs that he said showed three of the Buk-M1 missile systems on the road to the Russian border, The New York Times reported. We have proof that the terrorist attack was planned and carried out with the involvement of representatives of the Russian Federation, Nadya said at a press conference. We know that Russia is trying to hide its terrorist activity and their direct involvement. The devices, which are missile launchers mounted on an armored vehicle, crossed the border into Russia shortly after Flight 17 was blown apart, according to The Times. Nadya said the missile had been fired from Snizhne, a city in eastern Ukraine controlled by pro-Russian rebels. U.S. officials previously said they believe the plane was downed by a missile fired by rebels, and both the Ukrainians and Americans said the rebels would have needed Russias assistance to fire the missiles, The Times reported.1 p.m. ET: German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Russian President Vladimir Putin agree on investigation into crash German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Russian President Vladimir Putin have agreed on an international investigation into the downing of Flight 17, according to Agence France-Presse. A statement from the German government released Saturday said Merkel and Putin, who spoke on the phone, agreed that an international, independent commission under the direction of ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) should quickly have access to the site of the accident ... to shed light on the circumstances of the crash and move the victims. Both leaders said a contact group comprised of Ukraine, Russia and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe should meet soon to arrive at a ceasefire in the conflict between the Ukrainian government and pro-Russian rebels in eastern Ukraine, the German statement said. A statement from the Russian government added, Both sides stressed the importance of a thorough and objective investigation of all circumstances relating to what has happened, and said Merkel gave a positive assessment of Russias readiness to send its representative to participate in the investigation. German chancellor Angela Merkel speaks during a press conference on July 18, 2014 at a press conference house in Berlin. Image: CLEMENS BILAN / Staff / AFP11:28 a.m. ET: Relatives of Dutch passengers on MH17 waiting to fly to crash site Family members of the 193 Dutch victims on Flight 17 are waiting near Amsterdams Schiphol airport to fly to the crash site in eastern Ukraine, Malaysia Airlines said on Saturday, according to Agence France-Presse. Its not yet known when the families will go, a company spokesperson told the AFP. There is a plane ready to fly to Kiev, but the accident happened 500 km [310 miles] from Kiev, so thats very complex logistically. Theyre still evaluating how to do that and what the safest way is. In the wake of the planes downing, air traffic is being rerouted around Ukraine, except for flights to and from Kiev. Cabin crew lay flowers at the entrance to Schiphol Airport in memory of the victims of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 on July 19, 2014 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Image: Christopher Furlong / Staff10 a.m. ET: Malaysia Airlines publishes passenger manifest Malaysia Airlines released Flight 17s passenger manifest on Saturday morning, listing the names of all 283 passengers and 15 crew members on board the plane. The airline asked family and friends of the victims to contact Malaysia Airlines Family Support Centre, or Malaysia Airlines offices in their respective countries. In the past 45 hours, the airline together with various foreign embassies have made every effort to establish contact with the next-of-kin but is still unable to identify many more family members, the airlines statement said. In total, 298 people were on board Flight 17. Here is the breakdown of their nationalities: Netherlands - 193 (including one dual Netherlands/U.S. citizen) Malaysia - 43 (including 15 crew and two infants) Australia - 27 Indonesia - 12 (including one infant) United Kingdom - 10 (including one dual UK/South African citizen) Germany - 4 Belgium - 4 Philippines - 3 Canada - 1 New Zealand - 1 Malaysia Airlines said it deployed a ferry flight, which carried 212 personnel from Malaysian government and media agencies, to Kiev and Amsterdam in a special mission for Flight 17. They included 85 of the airlines Go Team members, five of whom will join a search-and-recovery mission at the crash site, and 80 members who will be in Amsterdam to assist the victims relatives. The flight left Kuala Lumpur at 9:30 p.m., local time. Malaysia Airlines also asked media to respect the privacy of the grieving families, and said any information with regards to their movement will not be made public.9 a.m. ET: Bodies being bagged at crash site Mashables Christopher Miller reported that 82 bodies were bagged as of Saturday morning, but that there is no information on where they will be taken. Miners from shakhta no. 29 in Antratsyt at #MH17 site say yday they helped recover passengers passports. pic.twitter/pjQbJj4LqC — Christopher Miller (@ChristopherJM) July 19, 2014 Personal effects of #MH17 passengers at crash site. pic.twitter/jmBr4Dh4xd — Christopher Miller (@ChristopherJM) July 19, 20148:25 a.m. ET: Separatist leader Alexsander Borodai denies that rebels interfered with crash site Alexsander Borodai, self-declared prime minister of the so-called Donetsk Peoples Republic, said at a press conference on Saturday that pro-Russian rebels did not touch the site where Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 crashed. Borodai added, however, that they reserve the right, if the delay continues ... to begin the process of taking away the bodies. We ask the Russian Federation to help us with this problem and send their experts, according to Reuters. We dont know where #MH17 black boxes are - presser of the Donetsk rebel leader Borodai via @Guaitafran pic.twitter/QLFpMLh4vQ — Maxim Eristavi (@MaximEristavi) July 19, 2014 The rebel leader also accused the Ukrainian government of preventing experts from accessing the site. Maybe this is because Ukraine or the Ukrainian authorities are not interested in an objective investigation, he said. Borodai said a grandmother appealed to the rebels to take away a body that landed right in her bed, but declined because we cannot tamper with the site.7 a.m. ET: Local emergency workers start moving bodies from MH17 crash site GRAPHIC IMAGE. Local emergency worker at flight #MH17 crash site says 65 bodies taken from here, but wont say where. pic.twitter/s1EjsCQCuD — Christopher Miller (@ChristopherJM) July 19, 2014 At least another 60 bodies bagged and placed at side of the road here. Nobody will say where they are going. #MH17 pic.twitter/Vo4mB9Ez0m — Christopher Miller (@ChristopherJM) July 19, 2014 No sign of black boxes. No sign of missile debris. No sign of aviation or military experts. No idea where the bodies are going. #MH17 — max seddon (@maxseddon) July 19, 20145.20 a.m. ET: Malaysian authorities hold press conference Malaysias Transport Minister Liow Tiong Lai said in a televised press conference on Saturday in Kuala Lumpur the passenger manifest would be released later in the day. Liow said there had been no confirmation of the black box recovery as yet and Malaysian authorities have requested an independent investigation team. The Transport Minister said it is inhumane if authorities are not allowed at the crash site in eastern Ukraine and he will be personally be heading there this evening. We will want to ensure a safe corridor to the site, Liow told reporters. We sent a team to Kyiv yesterday night. I will be leaving for Kyiv tonight to ensure we have access to the site. We want to retrieve the human remains as soon as possible, he said. The world has a moral obligation to ensure the remains of all victims are recovered and treated with respect. Malaysian Transport Minister Liow Tiong Lai addresses the media. Image: Kamal Sellehuddin, Getty Images He called for all people to respect the integrity of the crash site and allow an investigation to proceed. Yes, MH17 has become a geopolitical issue. But we must not forget that it is a human tragedy. Days after the plane went down, the remains of 298 people lie uncovered, Liow said at the press conference. This outrage cannot go unpunished. Malaysia condemns this brutal act of aggression, and calls for those responsible to be found, and to face the full force of justice without delay. Post by Ministry of Transport Malaysia. Malaysia Airlines said their own analysis found the route MH17 flew was safe and described the track as a highway of the sky. He advised the passenger manifest would be released shortly. All nationalities have now been identified: Netherlands, 192 (including 1 dual Netherlands/USA citizen); Malaysia, 44; Australia, 27; Indonesia, 12; UK, 10 (including 1 dual UK/South Africa citizen); Germany, 4; Belgium, 4; Philippines, 3; Canada, 1; New Zealand, 1.Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 Front Pages de Volkskrant, published in Amsterdam, Netherlands Friday, July 18, 2014.Image: Newseum Daily News, published in New York, New York USA Friday, July 18, 2014.Image: Newseum The Guardian, published in London, UK Friday, July 18, 2014.Image: Newseum New York Post, published in New York, New York USA Friday, July 18, 2014.Image: Newseum De Standaard, published in Brussels, Belgium Friday, July 18, 2014.Image: Newseum The Times, published in London, UK Friday, July 18, 2014.Image: Newseum Heute, published in Vienna, Austria Friday, July 18, 2014.Image: Newseum Kleine Zeitung, published in Graz, Austria Friday, July 18, 2014.Image: Newseum The New York Times, published in New York, New York USA Friday, July 18, 2014.Image: Newseum Het Nieuwsblad, published in Brussels, Belgium Friday, July 18, 2014.Image: Newseum Metro Curitiba, published in Curitiba, Brazil Friday, July 18, 2014.Image: Newseum Los Angeles Times, published in Los Angeles, California USA Friday, July 18, 2014.Image: Newseum The Calgary Sun, published in Calgary, Canada Friday, July 18, 2014.Image: Newseum Le Journal de Montréal, published in Montreal, Canada Friday, July 18, 2014.Image: Newseum Toronto Sun, published in Toronto, Canada Friday, July 18, 2014.Image: Newseum Chicago Sun-Times, published in Chicago, Illinois USA Friday, July 18, 2014.Image: Newseum The Times, published in Shreveport, Louisiana USA Friday, July 18, 2014.Image: Newseum Boston Herald, published in Boston, Massachusetts USA Friday, July 18, 2014.Image: Newseum Star, published in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Friday, July 18, 2014.Image: Newseum The Sun, published in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Friday, July 18, 2014.Image: Newseum Have something to add to this story? 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Posted on: Sun, 20 Jul 2014 03:11:12 +0000
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