A Malaysian Airways plane which left Schiphol airport on Thursday afternoon with 295 people on board has crashed in Ukraine, killing everyone on board.

The Boeing 777, with 280 passengers and 15 crew, was en route for Kuala Lumpur.

The Ukraine authorities say the plane was brought down by pro-Russian separatists but this has been denied by the groups themselves, broadcaster Nos said.

However, US sources say the plane was definitely brought down by some sort of rocket.

A number of Dutch nationals were on board the plane – possibly as many as 80, according to some media reports. Dutch justice minister Ivo Opstelten said that ‘many Dutch nationals’ were among the victims.

Black box

According to news agency AP, the plane appears to have broken in two and pieces of aircraft are spread over a large area.

Pro-Russian separatists have apparently found the black box and will hand it over to Moscow, Nos said.

The flight had numbers MH17 and KL4103.

According to website nu.nl, airspace over Ukraine has been closed. Other media reports say some airlines are now avoiding Ukraine.

King

Dutch king Willem-Alexander issued a statement saying he was ‘deeply shocked’ by the news.

‘We offer our deepest sympathy to the families, friends and colleagues of the victims and to those who are still uncertain if their loved ones were on board the plane,’ the short statement said.

The Dutch foreign ministry has opened a phone line for relatives to ring for further information: 00 31 70 348 77 70.

Journalist Noah Sneider said on Twitter: At crash site of #MH17. Bodies everywhere, organs splayed out. Too gruesome to post photographs. This is an absolute disaster. #ukraine.

BBC reports