Corpses of 20 victims of ill-fated MH17 tragedy arrive home

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 22 (KUNA) -- Twenty corpses out of the 43 Malaysian victims of the ill-fated MH17 air disaster arrived here on Friday 37 days after the tragic incident in Ukraine.
Joining the next-of-kin in welcoming the victims home were Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Hajah Haminah as well as Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor and other dignitaries.
The nation shared in the grief, having been prepared for the occasion with the government having declared Aug 22 as a day of national mourning for the victims of the tragedy.
The 20 fallen Malaysians, who were flown home as remains in 17 coffins and cremated ashes in three urns, were accorded ceremonial military honours - the first bestowed on civilians in the nation's history - executed with precision in a simple yet dignified manner. (end) mam.aab.tg