Investigators struggle to reach MH17 crash site as Ukraine fighting intensifies

2014-07-28 64

Eleven days after it crashed, the wreckage of Malaysian Airlines Flight MH17 remains out of reach for international investigators.

For the second day running, fighting between pro-Russian separatists and Ukrainian forces has kept them away.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) DEPUTY HEAD FOR THE OSCE MONITORING MISSION IN UKRAINE, ALEXANDER HUG, SAYING:

"We were stopped because there was gunfire and what we understand was artillery impacts nearby, very near."

Residents too, face roadblocks as the fighting continues.

Ukraine says its troops have recaptured more territory from pro-Russian rebels near the site, although at least three civilians are reported to have been killed in the process.

(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) SHAKHTARSK RESIDENT OLGA, SAYING:

"It was horrible, we were hiding in cellars, children were crying, they were scared, there was no electricity, nothing, it was a nightmare."

It's a nightmare too for investigators and families of the those kille