BLOG – Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 Shot Down Over Ukraine, 295 Killed

* European airlines are steering clear of Ukraine’s airspace after the Malaysia Airlines plane crashed in the restive east of the former Soviet state: AFP

* Russian President Vladimir Putin has offered condolences to Malaysia’s prime minister over the Malaysian airliner that came down over Ukraine, Malaysia’s Bernama state news agency reported: Reuters

* #US Vice President #Joe Biden spoke to Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, offered US assistance to help determine what happened in crash, White House has said

* The head of Ukraine’s air traffic control agency has said that the crew of the Malaysia Airlines jet that crashed in the separatist east had reported no problems during flight: AFP

*Our thoughts and prayers are with all the families of the passengers, wherever they call home: President #Obama

* #Obama to address #Malaysia plane crash at beginning of remarks in Delaware, starting shortly: White House

*At least four #French nationals on board #Malaysia Airlines flight that crashed: #French foreign minister

*Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko believes a “terrorist act” was the cause of the crash, his press secretary said. “Poroshenko thinks this of the plane that was brought down: it is not an incident, not a catastrophe, but a terrorist act,” Svatoslav Tsegolko said.

* Air India reroutes flights to avoid Ukrainian airspace, civil aviation ministry says

* #Malayasia Airlines statement -#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 flight was carrying 280 passengers and 15 crew onboard.

* #Russian President #Vladimir Putin discusses Malaysian plane crash with #US President #Obama
The two leaders held a pre-planned telephone call on the situation in Ukraine during which information became available from air traffic controllers about the crash, the Kremlin said

* “Deepest and sincerest sympathies for the families and loved ones of those killed”-Ukraine president

* #Russian news agency Itar-Tass cites an unnamed source at Ukraine’s aviation authority as saying that all 280 passengers and 15 crew members on board the plane had died

*Putin discusses #Malaysian airliner crash in Ukraine with Obama: RIA news agency

* I am shocked by reports of a #Malaysian plane crash, launching immediate investigation: #Malaysian PM

* Ukrainian Prime Minister #Areseny Yatseniuk ordered an investigation into the “airplane catastrophe” in eastern Ukraine, his spokeswoman Olga Lappo said

* US President Obama informed about the incident

* Ukrainian officials said local residents had found a wreckage

* Ukrainian interior ministry adviser says 280 passengers, 15 crew dead in Malaysian airliner crash: Interfax news agency

* A Malaysian passenger airliner flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur with 295 people on board crashes in Ukraine near the Russian border