Australia and the Netherlands are among the countries officially marking the tenth anniversary of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17's downing, an incident that claimed 298 lives when pro-Russian separatists shot down the plane over eastern Ukraine in 2014.
On 17 July 2014, Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17, a Boeing 777 traveling from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, was downed over eastern Ukraine by a Russian-made BUK surface-to-air missile.
The crash claimed all 298 lives on board, including 195 Dutch and 38 Australian citizens.
In commemoration of this tragedy, King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands is joining approximately 1,300 victims' relatives at the National Monument MH17 near Vijfhuizen. The ceremony also includes Dutch government officials and representatives from Malaysia, Australia, the United Kingdom, Belgium, and Ukraine.
The ceremony is taking place at the National Monument MH17 near the town of Vijfhuizen.
On the tenth anniversary of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17's downing, Australia reaffirmed its commitment to hold Russia accountable for the tragedy that claimed nearly 300 lives.
At a memorial service in Canberra's parliament, Foreign Minister Penny Wong addressed bereaved families and officials, stating, "We will not waver in our resolve to ensure Russia faces consequences for this act.
"I recommit our collective pursuit of truth, justice and accountability for the outrages perpetrated on the 17th of July, 2014," she said.
"Grief never fully leaves us but time and love can lessen its weight."
Names of the dead Australians were read out at the memorial service as family members placed golden flowers on a wreath, many pausing for a moment or wiping away tears.
A Dutch court has sentenced in absentia three men to life imprisonment for their roles in downing the plane over separatist-held pro-Russian territory during the early stages of a war that saw Moscow seize the Crimean peninsula.
Australia and the Netherlands have an ongoing case against Russia with the International Civil Aviation Organization, a United Nations agency with limited enforcement powers.
Russia has denied any involvement in the incident.
(with newswires)
