A further 42 victims of the Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 were formally identified at the weekend, bringing the total to 65.

Of the 42 new identifications, 21 were Dutch nationals and 21 from other countries. The justice ministry, which made the announcement, did not say which countries they came from.

The crash of the MH17 in eastern Ukraine on July 17 killed all 298 people on board, including 196 Dutch nationals.

Unexpected

On Friday, it was announced that 21 victims had been identified and the additional announcement on Saturday was unexpected.

According to the justice ministry, the reason for the speed in identifying more of the victims is because DNA results are now coming back from the pathology laboratories.

Forensic experts working on identification at a barracks in Hilversum said they have a total of 176 more or less complete bodies and some 527 body parts.

Identification is being done with fingerprints, teeth and DNA material.

Discussion

Later on Monday parliament will discuss the situation around the crash site, following the discontinuation of the repatriation mission last week.

Parliament will hear from armed forces chief Tom Middendorp, counter terrorism service head Dick Schoof, national police chief Gerard Bouman and Wim Geerts from the foreign affairs ministry.