MOSCOW, July 31 (RIA Novosti) – The day of mourning for the victims of the Malaysian plane crash in eastern Ukraine will be held in Australia on August 7, country’s Prime Minister Tony Abbott wrote on his official website Thursday.
"There were 298 innocent people on this aircraft and their deaths offend our sense of justice. We grieve for all, but particularly for the 38 men, women and children who called Australia home. Our hearts go out to all their families. We will support them through the difficult times ahead. Twenty-three million Australians share the sadness of those who mourn. We are united in grief and in our determination to ensure that justice is done," Abbott’s statement reads.
According to the prime minister, on August 7 all Australian government buildings will fly the national flag at half-mast. The memorial service will be held in St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Melbourne.
Malaysia Airlines MH17 en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur went down in Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine on July 17. All 298 people on board, including 85 children and 15 crew members, died in the crash.
