10 years after tragedy that claimed 298 lives, relatives grieve those killed when MH17 was shot down

VIJFHUIZEN, Netherlands (AP) — Grieving families recited the names and ages Wednesday of all 298 passengers and crew killed when Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 was shot down over Ukraine 10 years ago, as they marked the anniversary of the tragedy at a solemn ceremony near Amsterdam.

The relatives, some weeping or choking back tears, named brothers, sisters, parents, grandchildren, grandparents nieces and nephews in a litany of lost lives that lasted 30 minutes.

“It’s a black day,” said Evert van Zijtveld, who lost his daughter and son, Frederique, 19, and Robert-Jan, 18, along with their grandparents.

“What’s very important is that we mentioned the name of the loved ones … and it’s very important that we remember them,” he added.

An international investigation concluded that the Buk missile system that destroyed MH17 belonged to the Russian 53rd Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade and was fired from territory controlled by pro-Moscow separatists. The investigation concluded the missile was driven into Ukraine from a Russian military base near the city of Kursk and returned there after the plane was shot down.

Moscow has repeatedly denied responsibility. In 2022, a Dutch court convicted in absentia two Russians and a Ukrainian separatist for their role in the jet’s downing.

READ MORE: ‘Strong indications’ Putin approved supplying missile that shot down MH17, investigators say

“Although the court formally found Russian puppets guilty, the Kremlin authorities led by Putin and his accomplices are behind this crime,” Ukraine’s General Staff said in a statement published on Facebook.

Commemoration services took place Wednesday in the Netherlands, Australia and the site of the crash in the Russia-controlled part of the Donetsk region, as the war in Ukraine raged on.

Hundreds of family members were joined by joined Dutch King Willem-Alexander, politicians and diplomats at a memorial in the Netherlands close to Schiphol, the airport the Kuala Lumpur-bound Boeing 777 departed from on July 17, 2014.

Australian Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus represented his country at the Dutch memorial site, where 298 trees commemorate each victim.

“Today we remain unwavering in our determination to ensure truth, justice and accountability for the victims and their loved ones,” Dreyfus said.

Many of the families carried sunflowers like those that grew at the scene of the crash, and laid them next to trees. Flags of the countries that lost citizens hung at half-staff next to a field of blooming sunflowers.

Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof pledged to keep up the fight to hold accountable those responsible.

“And I know it too: justice takes time,” he said. “But we have the time. And the patience. And the perseverance. That is my message to the guilty parties, and my promise to you.”

The ceremony in Australia was held at the Parliament House in Canberra.

“I don’t think anyone intended to bring down a passenger plane. So in that sense, I’m heartbroken that the (Ukraine) conflict continues,” Paul Guard told Australian Broadcasting Corp. His parents, Roger and Jill Guard were among 38 Australian citizens and permanent residents killed.

“But I think that a lot of families would really have just liked an acknowledgment that what happened was wrong and that Russia should not have been waging war,” the son added.

Russia continues to be pursued under international law by the Netherlands in the European Court of Human Rights and by Australia and the Netherlands jointly through the International Civil Aviation Organization Council, or ICAO, over its alleged role in bringing down MH17.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong told Wednesday’s service in Canberra that she was “appalled” that Russia had withdrawn from the ICAO proceedings in June.

READ MORE: Dutch court convicts 3 for 2014 downing of flight MH17 over Ukraine

“The case will continue and we will not be deterred in our commitment to hold Russia to account,” Wong told the gathering.

At the crash site in the village of Hrabov, several dozen local residents brought flowers, stuffed animals and even a model airplane to a small memorial stone installed in a field near where some of the wreckage was found. Some struggled to hold back tears, recalling the explosion that shattered windows in their homes and bodies falling from the sky. “It hurts,” one woman said. “I feel sorry for the people.”

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov refused to comment on Wong’s remarks, reiterating that Moscow’s position on the matter is “well known.” He said: “No arguments from the Russian side were taken into account, we did not participate in the investigation, and therefore our attitude to these conclusions is well known.”

The Netherlands was home to 196 of the victims while 38 hailed from Australia. Victims also came from Malaysia, Indonesia, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Germany, the Philippines, Canada, New Zealand, Vietnam, Israel, Italy, Romania, the United States and South Africa.

Malaysia also reiterated its commitment to seek justice and hold those responsible for the tragedy accountable.

“The Government of Malaysia is resolute that the process must pursue truth, justice and accountability,” the transport ministry said in a statement.