MH17 probe report raises "very serious questions": New Zealand FM

The New Zealand government Friday expressed appreciation for the independent investigation into the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH 17, saying its report is an important step towards accountability.

The downing of flight MH17 over Ukraine in July 2014 costs 298 lives, including a New Zealand citizen and a New Zealand resident, Foreign Minister Murray McCully said in a statement.

"We remain committed to ensuring there is accountability for this tragic incident," said McCully.

"This report, which is based on a painstaking, impartial and careful investigation, raises some very serious questions," he said.

"The Joint Investigation Team's release of its preliminary findings is an important step towards accountability."

New Zealand continued to urge all countries to fully cooperate with the investigation, as required under Security Council resolution 2166.

"The victims of this tragedy and their families deserve this much," he said.

The Joint Investigation Team, which comprised investigative authorities from The Netherlands, Ukraine, Malaysia, Australia and Belgium, released its interim report into the MH17 disaster on Sept. 28 in The Hague.

The report found that the plane was brought down by a surface-to-air missile brought into Ukraine from Russia and fired from an area under the control of pro-Russian separatists at the time.

An investigation into criminal accountability was continuing. Endit