The Association of Southeast Asian Nations
has condemned the downing of Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 in eastern Ukraine
and called for an independent investigation into the catastrophe.
In a
statement from Asean foreign ministers issued on the weekend, the grouping
expressed its shock over the disaster that killed 298 passengers and crew when
it was hit by a missile while en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur. There is
as yet no definitive proof on who fired the missile but the Ukraine government
has accused the pro-Moscow militia of using a Russian-supplied Buk system to
down the jet after mistakenly believing it to be a Ukrainian military transport
plane.
MH17
was flying over non-restricted airspace and following a flight path which had
been declared safe by the International Civil Aviation Organisation, Asean said
in the statement. That was a flight route utilised by many international
airlines flying the Asia-Europe route, it said.
"Asean
members underline that it is imperative that we find out precisely what
happened to flight MH 17," it said.
"We
call for a full, independent and transparent investigation into the
catastrophe. We emphasise that the investigation must not be hindered."
Asean,
which includes Malaysia, conveyed profound sorrow and passed on its condolences
to the families and loved ones of those on board MH17.
The
downed plane is the second tragedy to befall Malaysia Airlines this year
following the disappearance of flight MH370 in March.
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