A Malaysian Airlines passenger flight, MH17, from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur was shot down over the Ukraine border on July 17, 2014. It is believed that surface-to-air missile was used to shoot down the airline, which claimed the lives of about 300 people. Malaysian Airlines has encountered twin tragedies this year. Firstly, the disappearance of MH 370 while on a flight to Beijing from Kuala Lumpur and the MH 17 crash.
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has adopted a resolution demanding international access to the crash site of MH17. All 15 council members have agreed in favour of Australia’s demand for an independent investigation. The resolution has called for "full, thorough and independent international investigation into downing of MH17. Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said the resolution is an "unambiguous response from the international community to an utterly deplorable act."
Countries directly impacted by MH17 crash
1) Malaysia
-Safety of Malaysian Airlines in question after twin tragedies
- Airline already in deep financial woes, losing $370 million last year
-Twin incident has marred airline's image and tourism activities
-News in the air that the airlines will change its name and rebrand itself following the twin air tragedies
2) The Netherlands
-189 passengers of the ill-fated MH17 were of Dutch origin and lost their lives in the fatal tragedy
- Netherlands plans to deploy 40 police officials in a joint operation at the site
- Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte has demanded international forces to secure site of downed airline
3) Australia
- 28 Australians lost their lives in the terrible crash
- Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has sought an explanation from Russia on the disaster
- Abbott has also suggested that Russia be blocked from attending the G20 Summit
- Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop is pushing for Ukrainian Parliament to ratify deployment agreement which will allow arms for self-defence
4) United States & Russia
- U.S President Barack Obama wants Russia and Ukraine to immediately implement ceasefire
- Obama has warned Russia that U.S. can increase economic pain
- Russian President Vladamir Putin believes downing of MH17 was due to hostilities between Ukraine and Russia after a failed ceasefire