Dutch Safety Board Heads Investigation Into Crash MH17
Dutch Safety Board Heads Investigation Into Crash MH17
PR57432
THE HAGUE, the Netherlands, July 24, /PRN=KYODO JBN/ --
- Investigation effort in full swing, black boxes currently being read out
The Dutch Safety Board took over formal responsibility for the air crash
investigation from Ukraine yesterday evening. The two black boxes have since
arrived in the United Kingdom, where they are currently being read out and
analysed by a team of international specialists. The on-site investigation in
Ukraine is currently in full swing. Although investigators still do not have
safe access to the crash site, work to gather and analyse data from various
sources is underway in both Kiev and the Netherlands.
The first priorities will be to gather information from the crash site, analyse
the black boxes and coordinate the international team. Ultimately, the air
crash investigation should offer victims families and the international
community a clear and comprehensive overview of the causes and course of the
crash.
With the Dutch Safety Board now heading the investigation, the international
investigation team will have more freedom to go about its tasks unhindered. The
Dutch Safety Board is also responsible for coordinating all participating
investigators and investigation teams from the countries involved (Ukraine,
Malaysia, Australia, Germany, the United States, the United Kingdom and Russia)
and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). The international
team currently consists of 24 investigators. A total of four Dutch Safety Board
investigators are currently operating in Ukraine.
Black boxes
On Tuesday evening the two recorders arrived in Kiev from Kharkiv and were
handed over to the Dutch Safety Board. They were then shipped by air to the
United Kingdom, where an international team of specialists is working on the
read-out and analysis of the data stored in the recorders. As a part of this
effort, the team will also assess whether the black boxes may have been
manipulated. The black boxes are expected to provide information relevant to
this investigation. The analysis of black box data may take several weeks
On-site investigation
At the time of writing, the investigators have not yet been able to visit the
site of the crash and conduct their investigation under safe conditions. In
order to conduct an effective investigation, the investigators must have the
opportunity to move around the entire investigation site freely, investigate
materials and traces from up close and secure them for further study where
necessary. At present, the investigators' safety has not been guaranteed. The
Dutch Safety Board and other parties involved are continually working to gain
access to the accident site, and are working with other parties to organise
effective security so that the investigators can do their work under controlled
and safe conditions. Despite the fact that evidence and traces have been
damaged or lost, the Dutch Safety Board expects it will be able to gather
sufficient relevant information from the crash site.
Over the past few days, investigators have been working on the investigation in
the Ukrainian capital of Kiev and in the Netherlands on the basis of available
film and photo materials and other sources of information.
Investigation results
All information gathered as a part of this international investigation will be
submitted to the Dutch Safety Board. The Dutch Safety Board will subsequently
analyse this information, which will serve as the basis for a report and -
where necessary - relevant recommendations. Other investigators or
investigation boards will support this process and comment on the draft
investigation report and its conclusions. The Dutch Safety Board will have the
final say as regards the contents and timing of all publications. If the
investigation shows evidence of any criminal or terrorist activities, the
information will subsequently be submitted to the relevant authorities in
accordance with applicable regulations. The Dutch Safety Board's investigation
will focus on ascertaining facts, rather than apportioning blame.
In addition to the international accident investigation, the Dutch Safety Board
is also conducting two other independent investigations: an investigation into
the decision-making process with regard to flight routes and an investigation
into the availability of passenger lists. These investigation reports are
expected to be published ahead of the main accident report.
Source: Dutch Safety Board
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