MH17 was downed by missile, international probe demanded

The flight was on its way from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur when in crashed in a ball of fire with the global community fearing that it was shot down by Russian-backed rebels in the conflict zone between the ultras and the government of Ukraine.

The plane crashed near Hrabove village near Ukraine's border with Russia near the regional capital of Donetsk. The area is witnessing rebel groups backed by Russia fighting the Ukraine government forces.

While Ukraine has denied shooting down the plane, the needle of suspicion is towards the rebel groups backed by Russia.

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak told a news conference that “if it conspires that the plane was indeed shot down we insist that the perpetrators must swiftly be brought to justice.”

Razak said he spoke with the president of Ukraine, who assured him a thorough and independent investigation that would involve Malaysian officials.

A probe on the tragedy- which led to a blame game between Russia and Ukraine- has been demanded by international community.

US Vice President Joe Biden said the flight was “apparently” shot down. "I say ‘apparently’ because we don’t actually have all the details. I want to be sure of what I say. Apparently, have been shot down. Shot down, not an accident. Blown out of the sky,” Biden said in Detroit.

US President Barack Obama spoke with Ukrainian President Poroshenko   to discuss the tragedy.  President Poroshenko welcomed the assistance of international investigators to ensure a thorough and transparent investigation of the crash site. President Obama assured him that U.S. experts will offer all possible assistance immediately. Obama emphasized that all evidence from the crash site must remain in place on the territory of Ukraine until international investigators are able to examine all aspects of the tragedy.

In a Press Statement, US Secretary of State John Kerry said: "The United States Government remains prepared to assist with a credible, international investigation any way we can, and we will continue to be in touch with all relevant partners as we seek the facts of what happened today."

"We are horrified by the crash of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17. There are no words adequate to express our condolences to the families of the nearly 300 victims. We offer our sympathies and support to the Governments of Malaysia and the Netherlands at this difficult time, as well as to all those whose citizens may have been on board. We are reviewing whether any American citizens were aboard the flight," he said.

A NATO Secretary General statement mourning the tragedy said: "Much is unclear about the circumstances of the crash.  However the instability in the region, caused by Russian-backed separatists, has created an increasingly dangerous situation.

"It is important that a full international investigation be launched immediately, without any hindrance, to establish the facts and that those who may be responsible are swiftly brought to justice," the statement said.

The plane was last seen on radar when it was at 33,000 feet.

"Malaysia Airlines has lost contact of MH17 from Amsterdam. The last known position was over Ukrainian airspace," the Malaysian Airlines tweeted soon after it lost contact.

"Malaysia Airlines confirms it received notification from Ukrainian ATC that it had lost contact with flight MH17 at 1415 (GMT) at 30km from Tamak waypoint, approximately 50km from the Russia-Ukraine border."

"Flight MH17 operated on a Boeing 777 departed Amsterdam at 12.15pm (Amsterdam local time) and was estimated to arrive at Kuala Lumpur International Airport at 6.10 am (Malaysia local time) the next day," the statement confirmed.

"The flight was carrying 280 passengers and 15 crew onboard," it said.

However, both the Ukrainian government and rebels have denied shooting it down in the region close to the Russian border, a BBC report said earlier.