MH17: Malaysia Airlines Plane Shot Down Near Ukraine Border

[george]

BREAKING
MH17: Malaysia Airlines Plane Reportedly Shot Down Near Ukraine Border

http://youtu.be/48YlDSVFVMI

Interfax news agency reports that a Malaysian jet has crashed in eastern Ukraine, near the Russian border. The Malaysian Airlines passenger plane had 295 people on board and was on its way from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur.

Anton Gerashenko, an adviser to Ukraine's Interior Minister, wrote on Facebook that the plane was hit by a missile fired from a Buk launcher over the country's east, the Associated Press reports.

Malaysia Airlines confirmed it had lost contact with flight MH17 and that its last position was over Ukrainian airspace.

A Russian aviation industry source told Reuters that the plane did not enter Russian airspace when expected.

Ukraine's east has seen heavy fighting between the country's military and separatists in recent days. Earlier on Thursday, the Ukrainian military claimed Russian jets had shot down a Ukrainian warplane late Wednesday night.

More from the Associated Press:

KIEV, Ukraine (AP) A Ukrainian official said a passenger plane carrying 295 people was shot down Thursday over a town in the east of the country, and Malaysian Airlines tweeted that it lost contact with one of its flights over Ukrainian airspace.

Anton Gerashenko, an adviser to Ukraine's interior minister, said on his Facebook page the plane was flying at an altitude of 10,000 meters (33,000 feet) when it was hit by a missile fired from a Buk launcher. A similar launcher was seen by Associated Press journalists near the eastern Ukrainian town of Snizhne earlier Thursday. The Buk missile system can fire missiles up to an altitude of 22,000 meters (72,000 feet).

Malaysia Airlines said on its Twitter feed that it "has lost contact of MH17 from Amsterdam. The last known position was over Ukrainian airspace. More details to follow."

The region has seen severe fighting between Ukrainian forces and pro-Russia separatist rebels in recent days.
On Wednesday evening, a Ukrainian fighter jet was shot down by an air-to-air missile from a Russian plane, Ukrainian authorities said Thursday, adding to what Kiev says is mounting evidence that Moscow is directly supporting the separatist insurgents in eastern Ukraine. Security Council spokesman Andrei Lysenko said the pilot of the Sukhoi-25 jet hit by the air-to-air missile was forced to bail after his jet was shot down.

Pro-Russia rebels, meanwhile, claimed responsibility for strikes Wednesday on two Ukrainian Sukhoi-25 jets. The Ukrainian Defense Ministry said the second jet was hit by a portable surface-to-air missile, but added the pilot was unscathed and managed to land his plane safely

Moscow denies Western charges that is supporting the separatists or sowing unrest in its neighbor. The Russian Defense Ministry couldn't be reached for comment Thursday about the Ukrainian jet and Russia's foreign ministry didn't respond to multiple requests for comment.

Earlier this week, Ukraine said a military transport plane was shot down Monday by a missile fired from Russian territory.

The rebels are known to possess portable anti-aircraft rocket launchers, but Ukrainian officials say that kind of weapon would have been unable to reach Monday's plane at the altitude at which it was flying Monday. Aviation experts, however, have questioned whether the stricken transport plane was flying at the altitude Ukrainian officials had claimed.

-- Agencies, AP 2014-07-17

[3NUMBAS]

quote

A passenger plane with 295 people on board has been shot down as it flew above eastern Ukraine, according to aviation sources.

The Malaysia Airlines plane, which was flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, was travelling at an altitude of 10km (6.2 miles) when it was shot down, Russia's Interfax reported.

The Boeing 777 was brought down by a Buk ground-to-air missile, an adviser to the Ukrainian interior ministry quoted by the news agency said.

The adviser said the 280 passengers and 15 crew members who were on the plane are all believed to have died.

Source: Yahoo News

A spokesman for Malaysian Airlines, still reeling from the loss of flight MH370 in March, confirmed it had lost contact with flight MH17, which departed from Amsterdam at 12.14pm local time.

The flight disappeared from radar as it flew over Ukrainian airspace, the spokesman said.

Sky's Katie Stallard, in Moscow, said media reports suggest the plane came down in the Donetsk region, where there has been recent heavy fighting amid continuing tensions between Russia and Ukraine.

Data from Flightradar24 suggests the plane had just passed the city of Kremenchuk, around 300km (186 miles) from the Russian border, when it disappeared.

Several videos apparently filmed in the area, none of which Sky News has been able to independently verify, show plumes of thick, black smoke rising high into the air.

An aviation source told the Reuters news agency the wreckage of a burning aircraft had been found on the ground.

[3NUMBAS]

Aviation expert Major Charles Hayman told Sky News: "It's highly likely this aircraft was flying along a fault line between Russian and Ukrainian defences.

"It’s possible the Ukrainians flapped a bit, thought it was hostile and shot it down.

"Perhaps it was confusion at the Ukrainian air defence centre.

"It looks like someone failed to recognise this was a civilian plane and shot it down."

A spokesman for Boeing said it was aware of reports of MH17's disappearance, while a Foreign Office official added: "We're urgently working to establish what has happened."

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/malaysian-passenger-plane-crashes-ukraine-151316125.html?vp=1#znIhFiK

[george]

BREAKING

295 passengers onboard flight MH17:
Malaysia Airlines passenger jet reportedly shot down in Ukraine

A Malaysian Airlines passenger plane with 295 aboard was shot down by a surface-to-air missile in Ukraine near the Russian border, according to multiple reports.

The airline, which saw one of its fleet disappear over the Indian Ocean in March, confirmed only that "an incident" had occurred involving the Boeing 777, which was en route to Kuala Lumpur from Amsterdam.

Malaysia Airlines has lost contact of MH17 from Amsterdam," read a tweet from the airline. "The last known position was over Ukrainian airspace. More details to follow, read a tweet from Malaysia Airlines account.

Malaysian Defense Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said he has directed the countrys Ministry of Defense to investigate the incident, according to a message on his Twitter account. He said he could not confirm that the plane was shot down.

But multiple reports, including from Russia's Interfax news agency, said the plane was shot down at cruising altitude. Anton Gerashenko, an adviser to Ukraine's Interior Minister told The Associated press that the plane, carrying 280 passengers and 15 crew people onboard, was shot down.

Gerashenko says on his Facebook page the plane was flying at an altitude of 33,000 feet when it was hit Thursday by a missile fired from a Buk launcher. A similar launcher was seen by Associated Press journalists near the eastern Ukrainian town of Snizhne earlier Thursday.

The adviser also told Russian news agency Interfax that all onboard have been killed.

The border area where the plane apparently went down, near the city of Kremenchuk, has been embroiled in the larger dispute between Ukraine and ethnic Russian separatists. Fighting has intensified in recent months in the region. A day before, according to the Ukrainian government, a Russian military plane shot down a Ukrainian fighter jet in Ukrainian airspace.

Pentagon Spokesman Col. Steve Warren said he was aware of reports of the downed passenger jet in Ukraine,but did not have further information.

A senior White House official said President Obama has been briefed on the incident. Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, said whether it was intentional or accidental it is an "international incident" when a passenger jet is shot down. McCaul said he believed only a military grade weapon could have downed the plane.

The Boeing jets are equipped with twin Rolls-Royce Trent engines, typically cruises at 35,000 feet at speeds up to 639 miles per hour.

On March 8, Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, also a Boeing 777 and carrying 227 passengers and 12 crew on a route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing, disappeared somewhere over the ocean. It has not been found.

-- Agencies 2014-07-17

[Pattszero]

This is a zone that many of we Europeans fly through on our way to Asia - there but for the grace of ----

I only hope that those that died were gone in an instant - tragic.

[george]

Malaysian airliner crashes in eastern Ukraine, 295 reported dead

KIEV, UKRAINE (BNO NEWS) — A Malaysian Airlines passenger plane flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur crashed in eastern Ukraine on Thursday afternoon, reportedly killing all 295 passengers and crew members on board, Ukrainian officials said, adding that the aircraft may have been shot down.

The incident happened at approximately 4:20 p.m. local time when Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 disappeared from radar screens while flying over eastern Ukraine near the border with Russia. Anton Gerashchenko, an adviser to Ukraine’s interior minister, said 280 passengers and 15 crew members were believed to be on board.

“Malaysia Airlines has lost contact of MH17 from Amsterdam. The last known position was over Ukrainian airspace. More details to follow,” the airline said in a brief statement. It did not confirm Flight MH17 had crashed, but aviation monitors said data showed the Boeing 777 stopped transmitting while over eastern Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko immediately ordered the establishment of a National Commission to investigate the cause of the disaster. “We do not exclude the possibility that the aircraft was shot down,” the presidency said in a statement, adding that the country’s armed forces had not taken any action against the aircraft.

Gerashchenko, speaking in a post on Facebook, said all 295 people on board had been killed and blamed a Buk ground-to-air missile fired by insurgents for the crash.

-- BNO News 2014-07-17

[JetsetBkk]

RIP all 295 persons.

[Briggsy]

If this is the second Malaysian airliner shot down in the space of a year, Malaysian Airlines must be the unluckiest airline in the world.

[skippybangkok]

Very clearly stupidity. Pink line (attached) is the shortest route possible between Amsterdam and Kuala Lumpur. Shot down just south of it ....... Who flies over a crisis zone with low level army grunts armed with air to ground missiles ? must save fuel, must save fuel, must save fuel. .....

Absolutely preventable. MAS management obviously has a "tidak apa" attitude ( she'll be right )

RIP

[ETatBKK]

a terrible news at the middle of the night. what the hell the world is doing ?

RIP for those on board, another 295 innocent life.

[Gweiloman]

Very clearly stupidity. Pink line (attached) is the shortest route possible between Amsterdam and Kuala Lumpur. Shot down just south of it ....... Who flies over a crisis zone with low level army grunts armed with air to ground missiles ? must save fuel, must save fuel, must save fuel. .....

Absolutely preventable. MAS management obviously has a "tidak apa" attitude ( she'll be right )

RIP

Screenshot 2014-07-17 23.29.05.png

Are you saying the MH17 flew off course and at the wrong altitude?

[spacemand]

There is a NOTAM for parts of region in conflict, not where the plane went down but still commmercial planes don't avoid the area, after a freighter were shot down only a few days ago.

[girluk77]

Truly awful and yes a route many of us fly makes it all the more terrifying. RIP

Sent from my C5303 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[khaosai]

Very very sad news indeed.

RIP to all onboard.

The information I have with regards to flying within this area is that the Simferopol (Crimea) flight information region is closed, but the other four Ukrainian flight information regions are open. Each airline will decide on which course of action to take when planning particular flights over that region.

The reason for the closure is due to the potential of conflicting information being directed to an aircraft from Russia and Ukraine. That's now moved to a whole new level.

[Gweiloman]

If it is indeed Russia that shot the plane down, then every country in the world needs to immediately apprehend all Russian citizens that are in their country pending further investigation.

Shooting down a civilian aircraft is tantamount to declaration of war and every citizen of a country that declares war on a peaceful nation is in breach of every convention since the Geneva convention.

An emotive over-reaction. There will be millions of Russians looking on in horror too.

Humanity is bound by much more than nationality.

Yes, it is an emotional reaction on my part, as I'm a Malaysian.

As to whether it's an over-reaction, that's a matter of opinion. I trust you will grant me that.

Tks rgds

[george]

Malaysia Airlines Media Statement 1 - MH17 Incident
Released at 12:30am/18 July 2014

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.

More details to follow.

MH 17 Flight Tracker:

[Gulfsailor]

Very clearly stupidity. Pink line (attached) is the shortest route possible between Amsterdam and Kuala Lumpur. Shot down just south of it ....... Who flies over a crisis zone with low level army grunts armed with air to ground missiles ? must save fuel, must save fuel, must save fuel. .....

Absolutely preventable. MAS management obviously has a "tidak apa" attitude ( she'll be right )

RIP

Screenshot 2014-07-17 23.29.05.png

Nothing typical to MAS. I flew KLM and EVA to Amsterdam and back in the past 3 months and all 4 segments went straight over Donetsk. At night I actually looked down to see if I could see some explosions but all quiet. Planes fly in a certain corridor and I am sure nearly all planes coming from Ansterdam/Frankfurt/London heading for Bkk or KL passed straight over the Ukraine. Probably will end now...

[Nowisee]

Very sad news for all those not making it to their destination.

[oldthaihand99]

This is a zone that many of we Europeans fly through on our way to Asia - there but for the grace of ----

I only hope that those that died were gone in an instant - tragic.

<deleted>...why would any airline fly through a known war zone. It would seem quite retarded to do so & a no brainer to stay well clear of it. This could be the end of the company "Malaysian Airlines".

[Gweiloman]

Yes, you two gentlemen are probably right. It's just that as a Malaysian, I am feeling emotional right now

[capcc76]

If it is indeed Russia that shot the plane down, then every country in the world needs to immediately apprehend all Russian citizens that are in their country pending further investigation.

Shooting down a civilian aircraft is tantamount to declaration of war and every citizen of a country that declares war on a peaceful nation is in breach of every convention since the Geneva convention.

What? Apprehend a lot of innocent people because of the actions of their government.

I am sure this was an accident. Very uncool and something needs to be done about it, but apprehending all Russians and declaring World War III is not a rational decision.

[Liquorice]

Interestingly enough, the Ukrainians accused the Russians of shooting down one of it's jets while in Ukrainian airspace, only 6 hours ago.

Russia has denied the allegations. Rebels have claimed to have shot down two jets.

It's a troubled area and my condolences go out to the families of those killed in such needless and tragic circumstances.

My suspicion is that rebels probably shot down this plane and they will never be brought to justice.

[smokie36]

A dreadful accident...and a series of calamities involved.. So sad.

[Shurup]

It will probably end up with Russia and Ukraine pointing fingers at each other and nobody taking the blame at the end.

[george]

An Emergencies Ministry member works at the site of a Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777 plane crash in the settlement of Grabovo in the Donetsk region, July 17, 2014. The Malaysian airliner was shot down over eastern Ukraine by pro-Russian militants on Thursday, killing all 295 people aboard, a Ukrainian interior ministry official said. Reuters/Maxim Zmeyev

[Beetlejuice]

This is a terrible tragedy. I am hoping heads will roll for this atrocity. Hundreds of innocent people blown out of existence within an instance.

Someone has to answer for this, justice must be served.

[Shurup]

This did not happen near the Ukrainian border. it happened inside Ukraine, near the Russian border. Shot down with a Russian missile. Please Thai Visa try to be more accurate !!!!

Was there a Russian flag on that missile or any other markings?

Your point is irrelevant, both sides are most likely using the same Russian (or Soviet) made arms and ammo which came from the safe factory.

The question is - who fired that missile...

[edwardandtubs]

Why on earth were they flying over a war zone that has seen aircraft shot down very recently?

[Phil Conners]

Awful tragedy! Hopefully those responsible are brought to justice, and in the future the flight corridors are moved around such dangerous areas!

[Familyonthemove]

Lufthansa have just announced they will stop flying over this area. I guess others will follow. Shame they didn't all do this sooner.

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