Netherlands Publishes Documents on MH17 Crash in East Ukraine – Reports

The documents were released after several news oulets appealed to the government, citing the Freedom of Information Act. However, 147 of the requested documents remained classified due to the need to protect private data, including names and phone numbers.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The Netherlands has published over 500 documents linked to the July 2014 MH17 flight crash in eastern Ukraine following a freedom of information request filed by several news outlets, the Dutch NL Times reported.

The documents were released after Dutch NOS, RTL Nieuws and Volkskrant appealed to the government, citing the Freedom of Information Act. However, some 150 of the requested documents remained classified.

The 575 documents mostly consist of emails of the National Crisis Core Team, established shortly after the catastrophe.

The emails discuss best ways of communication with the victims’ relatives, condolence registers and the national commemoration. The documents also focus on reports about an oxygen mask allegedly found on one of the passengers after the crash. The emails stipulated the need for forensic testing to find out whether the mask was actually used.

The Netherlands is leading an investigation into the July 17, 2014 tragedy. Malaysia Airlines flight MH17, en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, crashed in eastern Ukraine, killing all 298 people on board. A preliminary report said it likely broke up in mid-air after high-energy objects penetrated the fuselage.

The United States and Ukraine were quick to accuse eastern Ukrainian militia of downing the flight with a Russian-made Buk missile. Kiev, however, could not provide any evidence for its accusations.

A final investigation report into the MH17 tragedy is expected to be published by the Dutch Safety Board in mid-2015.