March of silence one month after MH17 passengers killed in eastern Ukraine

2014-08-17 78

ROUGH CUT (NO REPORTER NARRATION)

STORY: Hundreds of white balloons were released into the sky over the Dutch city of Hilversum on Sunday (August 17) to remember the MH17 victims.

It has been exactly a month since the passengers died when their plane exploded over insurgent-held east Ukraine.

Most of the victims were Dutch.

Forensic experts on Friday said they identified 127 bodies and released 20 new names. Out of the 298 people on board, 193 were Dutch.

The search for more bodies was called off a week ago because of rising clashes between Kiev and the pro-Moscow rebels.

After a silent march there was a memorial service at Hilversum's St Vitus church.

MH17 was en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur when it was shot down.

On Monday, Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott and his Dutch counterpart Mark Rutte vowed justice for MH17's victims, saying investigations are to continue to find those responsible.

Australia lost 38 citizens a