20 bodies of MH17 victims have been brought back to Malaysia

August 22, 2014 became the first national day of mourning for ordinary people in Malaysian history.

AP reported that on August 22, the bodies and ashes of 20 Malaysians killed in the MH17 plane crash in Ukraine in July 2014 arrived in the capital Kuala Lumpur, marking the first national day of mourning for civilians in Malaysia's history.

This is the first flight to bring the bodies of Malaysian victims of an air disaster back to the country while the country is still searching for the missing MH370 plane carrying 239 passengers and crew in March 2014.

Malaysians heartbroken after receiving bodies of MH17 victims (Photo: AP)

The bodies of the victims were flown by a Malaysia Airlines plane to Kuala Lumpur International Airport, where a solemn ceremony was held to pay tribute to the victims. The coffins were wrapped in the Malaysian flag and carried by teams of eight soldiers to the hearse before being taken to the victims' families for burial.

The Malaysian government called on people to wear black and observe a minute of silence to pray and remember the victims.

Malaysia has suffered two major air disasters this year. The downing of flight MH17 was the second tragedy of the year for Malaysia Airlines after the disappearance of flight MH370 on March 8.

The Malaysian government was heavily criticized for its handling of the disappearance of flight MH17, but Prime Minister Najib Razak won public sympathy after reaching an agreement with the opposition in Ukraine to collect the victims' bodies and analyze the plane's black boxes./.

According to VOV.VN