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Malaysia airlines flight MH17 crash: Diplomats 'urgently investigating' reports that nine Britons were travelling on the plane Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 crash: Diplomats 'urgently investigating' reports that nine Britons were travelling on the plane
(35 minutes later)
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office said it was working to identify any British victims of the tragedy. A spokesman added: “We are aware of the reports and are urgently working to establish what has happened.”
Diplomats are urgently investigating reports that nine Britons were on board Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 when it was shot down over Ukraine.Diplomats are urgently investigating reports that nine Britons were on board Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 when it was shot down over Ukraine.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office said it was working to identify any British victims of the tragedy. A spokesman added: “We are aware of the reports and are urgently working to establish what has happened.”
The Malaysian national carrier said that nine British passport holders were travelling from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur on board the Boeing 777.The Malaysian national carrier said that nine British passport holders were travelling from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur on board the Boeing 777.
There were also unconfirmed reports that 23 American citizens and at least 55 Dutch nationals had taken the flight.There were also unconfirmed reports that 23 American citizens and at least 55 Dutch nationals had taken the flight.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office said it was unable to confirm the figure and was working to identify any British victims of the tragedy. A spokesman added: “We are aware of the reports and are urgently working to establish what has happened.”
Fears that Dutch citizens will be heavily represented in the death toll appeared to be coming to fruition tonight. Dutch travel agency D-Reizen said 25 of its clients were booked on the flight while another firm, WTC, said it had 30 clients on the plane.Fears that Dutch citizens will be heavily represented in the death toll appeared to be coming to fruition tonight. Dutch travel agency D-Reizen said 25 of its clients were booked on the flight while another firm, WTC, said it had 30 clients on the plane.
The Boeing Malaysian airlines flight MH17 was flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur when it crashed, sources told the Interfax news agency. The fate of the passengers was not immediately known.The Boeing Malaysian airlines flight MH17 was flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur when it crashed, sources told the Interfax news agency. The fate of the passengers was not immediately known.
Millions of British passengers travel through Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport en route to destinations around the world as a result of its success in marketing itself as an alternative hub to London’s Heathrow.Millions of British passengers travel through Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport en route to destinations around the world as a result of its success in marketing itself as an alternative hub to London’s Heathrow.
With airlines operating out of Britain gearing up for the summer holidays and one of the busiest times of the year, Malaysian has two direct flights a day from Heathrow to Kuala Lumpur.With airlines operating out of Britain gearing up for the summer holidays and one of the busiest times of the year, Malaysian has two direct flights a day from Heathrow to Kuala Lumpur.
But with operators offering cut price feeder flights to large European hubs such as Schiphol and Paris, British travellers have long grown used to bypassing Heathrow for intercontinental travel.But with operators offering cut price feeder flights to large European hubs such as Schiphol and Paris, British travellers have long grown used to bypassing Heathrow for intercontinental travel.
Dutch aviation chiefs even launched an advertising campaign to attract British passengers, boasting of more than 100 daily flights from the UK to Schiphol, carrying some seven million passengers a year. The airport had even taken to referring to one of its six runways as “Heathrow’s third runway”.Dutch aviation chiefs even launched an advertising campaign to attract British passengers, boasting of more than 100 daily flights from the UK to Schiphol, carrying some seven million passengers a year. The airport had even taken to referring to one of its six runways as “Heathrow’s third runway”.
The apparent shooting down of a commercial flight in what was already one of the world’s most dangerous flashpoints prompted one Labour MP to call for Parliament to delay its summer recess, due to begin next week, if it is established that the plane was destroyed by a missile supplied by the Russian government.The apparent shooting down of a commercial flight in what was already one of the world’s most dangerous flashpoints prompted one Labour MP to call for Parliament to delay its summer recess, due to begin next week, if it is established that the plane was destroyed by a missile supplied by the Russian government.
John Mann, MP for Bassetlaw, said: “Two and hundred and ninety-five innocent people have tragically lost their lives and their families will want to know how and why this happened.John Mann, MP for Bassetlaw, said: “Two and hundred and ninety-five innocent people have tragically lost their lives and their families will want to know how and why this happened.
“This is a very troubling development which raises serious issues that Parliament will want to consider. It cannot do this if it is not sitting.”“This is a very troubling development which raises serious issues that Parliament will want to consider. It cannot do this if it is not sitting.”
Prime Minister David Cameron has said that Government officials are working to establish what had happened. Both he and Labour leader David Miliband expressed their condolences to those killed in the disaster.Prime Minister David Cameron has said that Government officials are working to establish what had happened. Both he and Labour leader David Miliband expressed their condolences to those killed in the disaster.
Mr Cameron said: “I’m shocked and saddened by the Malaysian air disaster. Officials from across Whitehall are meeting to establish the facts.”Mr Cameron said: “I’m shocked and saddened by the Malaysian air disaster. Officials from across Whitehall are meeting to establish the facts.”
Mr Miliband said: “Truly awful news about the Malaysian Airlines flight. My thoughts are with the victims, their families and friends.”Mr Miliband said: “Truly awful news about the Malaysian Airlines flight. My thoughts are with the victims, their families and friends.”
The destruction of an intercontinental flight over Ukraine - long established on routes from Europe to Asia and the Far East - caused several airlines to announce that they would no longer overfly the country.The destruction of an intercontinental flight over Ukraine - long established on routes from Europe to Asia and the Far East - caused several airlines to announce that they would no longer overfly the country.
Virgin Airlines said two of its aircraft would “slightly divert” on their journeys from London last night. British Airways said none of its aircraft entered Ukrainian airspace apart from a daily service to the capital, Kiev.Virgin Airlines said two of its aircraft would “slightly divert” on their journeys from London last night. British Airways said none of its aircraft entered Ukrainian airspace apart from a daily service to the capital, Kiev.
British Airways: "The safety and security of our customers is always our top priority. Our flights are not using Ukrainian airspace, with the exception of our once a day service between Heathrow and Kiev. "We are keeping those services under review, but Kiev is several hundred kilometres from the incident site.British Airways: "The safety and security of our customers is always our top priority. Our flights are not using Ukrainian airspace, with the exception of our once a day service between Heathrow and Kiev. "We are keeping those services under review, but Kiev is several hundred kilometres from the incident site.
A Department for Transport spokesman said of the Malaysian Airlines crash: “Flights already airborne are being routed around the area by air traffic control in the region. Pilots around the world have been advised to plan routes that avoid the area by Eurocontrol, the European organisation for the safety of air navigation.”A Department for Transport spokesman said of the Malaysian Airlines crash: “Flights already airborne are being routed around the area by air traffic control in the region. Pilots around the world have been advised to plan routes that avoid the area by Eurocontrol, the European organisation for the safety of air navigation.”