Scientists have so far identified 283 different DNA profiles among the victims of Malaysian Airways flight MH17 which was apparently brought down by a rocket in eastern Ukraine on July 17.

Some of the DNA may belong to people involved in the rescue work and the recovery of body parts, Nos television reported.

In total 298 people were on board the flight. Most of them were Dutch and the job of identifying the dead is being done at a Dutch army barracks in Nieuwegein. In total, 173 victims have now been formally identified.

Relatives of the dead were told about the DNA at a progress update on Tuesday evening. A further update will be given to parliament on Wednesday.

Remembrance

A national remembrance ceremony for the victims, who included dozens of children, will be held in the Rai exhibition centre in Amsterdam on November 10, prime minister Mark Rutte has announced.

Relatives of those who died have been unable to visit the crash site because of fighting between Ukrainian government forces and pro-Russian rebels.

The fighting is also hampering efforts to find the remaining victims and determine exactly what brought down the plane.