Remains of MH17 victims returned to Netherlands

World Today

The Dutch-led international team of over 100 experts used detector dogs to continue the search at the Malaysia Airlines flight 17 crash site. 

Despite the intense heat and continuing fighting in nearby areas, the expert team is determined to continue their investigation. At various times, the team was forced to halt due to safety concerns.

A Dutch plane carrying the remains of victims landed at a military airport in Eindhoven on Monday. Coffins were brought out of the plane and placed in a hearse after a military ceremony.

The plane was also carrying personal belongings of victims back to the Netherlands. Flight MH17 was shot down on July 17, killing all 298 passengers and crew, most of them Dutch.

Remains of more than 200 victims have been found and transferred to the Netherlands for identification. It has been estimated that up to 80 bodies are still at the site.

The Ukrainian military continued to advance in the East, reaching the town of Yasynovata, located strategically near Donetsk city. This position allows the Ukrainian forces to block one of the main channels used for the delivery of weapons and technical support by the separatists from the North.

While the Ukrainian Defense ministry is confident victory will soon be theirs, it was reported that a group of Ukrainian soldiers were forced to retreat into Russian territory because they ran out of ammunition.

Though the Ukrainian military is optimistic the fight will end soon, many civilians have been taking a hit in the process. Nine civilians were reported killed over the weekend. And hundreds continue to flee the region of Luhansk and Donetsk.

CCTV America’s Michal Bardavid reports from Kiev, Ukraine.
Follow Michal Bardavid on Twitter @michalbardavid

Story compiled with information from The Associated Press.

Plane carrying remains of MH17 enroute to Netherlands

The Dutch-led international team of over 100 experts used detector dogs to continue the search at the Malaysia Airlines flight 17 crash site.