KUALA LUMPUR, July 18 — Malaysia Airlines (MAS) today clarified that 298 people – 283 passengers and 15 crew – were on its Boeing 777 that crashed in Ukraine yesterday while flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur.
MAS noted that as opposed to an earlier statement, the flight was carrying 283 passengers, including three infants, of various nationalities and 15 crew of
Malaysian nationality. It had said in the earlier statement that the ill-fated Flight MH17 had 280 passengers and 15 crew on board.
Some of the nationalities of the passengers are yet to be determined, MAS said. The airline listed the number of passengers and crew, according to nationality, as Netherlands, 154; Malaysia, 43 (including 15 crew and two infants); Australia, 27; Indonesia 12 (including one infant); United Kingdom, nine; Germany, four; Belgium, four; Philippines, three; Canada, one; and unverified, 41.
MAS said it was in the process of notifying the next-of-kin of the passengers and crew. “Our focus now is to work with the emergency responders and authorities and mobilise their full support to provide all possible care to the next-of-kin,” it said.
MAS confirmed that the aircraft did not make a distress call. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said Ukrainian authorities believe the plane was shot
down. MAS is deploying its “Go Team” to Amsterdam with a group of caregivers and volunteers to assist the family members of the passengers.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with all affected passengers and crew and their family members,” it said. The airline will provide regular updates on the situation. Families of passengers and crew may contact +603 7884 1234 (Malaysia) or +31703487770 (Netherlands).
– BERNAMA
