Malaysian passengers aboard Flight MH17 repatriated
K ALA L M A he bodies and ashes of Ma laysians killed when Malaysia Airlines light was shot down over kraine in uly arrived home yesterday the first day of national mourning in the country s history
It was the first repatriation of victims from the flight to the country which is still coming to terms with the disappearance of light and its passengers and crew earlier this year
he victims were carried aboard a chartered Malaysian Airlines et and received in a solemn ceremony riday on the tarmac of Kuala Lumpur International Airport he coffins were draped in the Malaysian flag and carried by teams of eight soldiers to waiting hearses before being taken to private funerals
he government has urged people to wear black and ob serve a minute of silence and prayer to honor the victims
All people onboard died when the plane was shot down over an area of eastern kraine controlled by pro ussia separatists as it flew to Kuala Lumpur from Amsterdam
he victims included Malaysians and utch nationals
Malaysia has been spared many of the natural disasters that regularly strike other countries in Asia but the downing of light was the second tragedy to hit the national airline this year fol lowing the disappearance of light on March
he government was heav ily critici ed for its response to the missing et but rime Minister a ib a ak won domestic praise for brokering a deal with the pro ussian separatists to allow for the re turn of all the bodies on light and ensure international access to the black box flight recorders