MAS updates MH17 casualty list to 298

Malaysia Airlines says 298 passengers and crew were lost aboard MH17, up from the 283 previously stated.

In addition, the carrier says it begin using alternative routes on its flights to Europes, while noting that the route used by the MH17 had been declared safe.

“With immediate effect, all European flights operated by Malaysia Airlines will be taking alternative routes avoiding the usual route,” says Malaysia Airlines.

“Malaysia Airlines flight MH17, which was on a scheduled flight from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur went down in eastern Ukraine. Malaysia Airlines confirms that the aircraft did not make a distress call. The usual flight route was earlier declared safe by the International Civil Aviation Organisation. International Air Transportation Association has stated that the airspace the aircraft was traversing was not subject to restrictions.”

It also lists that there were 283 passengers and 15 crew aboard the aircraft.

“Our focus now is to work with the emergency responders and authorities and mobilize its full support to provide all possible care to the next-of-kin. Malaysia Airlines is deploying its “Go Team” to Amsterdam with a group of caregivers and volunteers to assist the family members of the passengers,” says the carrier.

Source: Cirium Dashboard