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Malaysia Dispatches Special Flight to Kiev Following Boeing Crash – Prime Minister

© RIA Novosti . Mikhail Voskresensky / Go to the mediabankMalaysian Boeing crash site in Ukraine
Malaysian Boeing crash site in Ukraine - Sputnik International
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Malaysia is sending a team of high-ranking officials to Kiev to investigate the circumstances of the crash of the Malaysia Airlines Boeing in Ukraine’s east, the country’s national news agency Bernama reported Friday.

BALI (INDONESIA), July 18 (RIA Novosti) – Malaysia is sending a team of high-ranking officials to Kiev to investigate the circumstances of the crash of the Malaysia Airlines Boeing in Ukraine’s east, the country’s national news agency Bernama reported Friday.

"The Government of Malaysia is dispatching a special flight to Kiev, carrying a Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team, as well as a medical team," the agency said quoting the country’s Prime Minister Najib Razak.

A Malaysia Airlines Boeing-777 crashed Thursday near the town of Torez in Ukraine’s Donetsk Region. The tragedy claimed the lives of 280 passengers and 15 crew members.

Soon after the crash took place, reports emerged suggesting the plane had been shot down.

Najib stressed that if these reports were confirmed the Malaysian government would do all possible to punish those behind the accident.

"If it transpires that the plane was indeed shot down, we insist that the perpetrators must swiftly be brought to justice," the prime minister said.

Earlier on Thursday, Najib wrote on his Twitter that he was shocked by the terrible news.

According to the prime minister, he had already spoken to Ukraine’s President Petro Poroshenko who pledged a full, thorough investigation with the participation of Malaysian officials.

"The Ukrainian president also confirmed that his government will negotiate with rebels in the east of the country, in order to establish a humanitarian corridor to the crash site," Najib added.

He also held talks with US President Barack Obama. The two leaders agreed that an international team would get full access to the accident site and that "no one should interfere with the area, or move any debris, including the black box."

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