Bodies of Malaysian MH17 victims arrive back home more than a month after the jet was shot down over eastern Ukraine

  • Airliner shot down on July 17 killing all 239 passengers and crew
  • Passenger jet landed in area controlled by pro-Russian separatists
  • Malaysian Prime Minister has brokered deal to have bodies returned
  • National day of mourning declared as first coffins return home

By Richard Spillett for MailOnline

Published: 01:16 EST, 22 August 2014 | Updated: 05:18 EST, 22 August 2014

The bodies of 20 Malaysians killed when a passenger jet was shot down over Ukraine have arrived back in the country's capital city, Kuala Lumpur.

It was the first repatriation of victims from Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 to the country, whose government has urged people to wear black and observe a minute of silence and prayer.

A charted Malaysian Airlines jet arrived at the international airport from Amsterdam, where the bodies of all the victims were first taken.

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Royal Malay Regiment army personnel carry a coffin to a hearse during the arrival ceremony of Malaysia Airlines MH17 victims, a month after the flight was shot down over Ukraine

Royal Malay Regiment army personnel carry a coffin to a hearse during the arrival ceremony of Malaysia Airlines MH17 victims, a month after the flight was shot down over Ukraine

Malaysia Airlines crew members embrace each other as they wait outside Bunga Raya Complex at Kuala Lumpur International Airport this morning

Malaysia Airlines crew members embrace each other as they wait outside Bunga Raya Complex at Kuala Lumpur International Airport this morning

Malaysian soldiers hold their heads low for the 'Moment of Silence' at the arrival ceremony

Malaysian soldiers hold their heads low for the 'Moment of Silence' at the arrival ceremony

All 298 people onboard died when the plane was shot down over an area of eastern Ukraine controlled by pro-Russia separatists as it flew to Kuala Lumpur from Amsterdam.

The victims included 43 Malaysians and 195 Dutch nationals.

Today was the first day of national mourning in Malaysia's history, in a country which is still coming to terms with the disappearance of Flight 370 and its 239 passengers and crew earlier this year.

The victims were carried aboard a specially chartered Malaysian Airlines jet and received in a solemn ceremony on the tarmac of Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

Families of killed Malaysia Airlines crew hold their hands in prayer as a national day of mourning was declared

Families of killed Malaysia Airlines crew hold their hands in prayer as a national day of mourning was declared

Malaysian Airlines crew gathered to pay their respects to their colleagues as the bodies were returned

Malaysian Airlines crew gathered to pay their respects to their colleagues as the bodies were returned

Malaysians, who have been urged to wear black today, threw flowers into the road as the coffins passed

Malaysians, who have been urged to wear black today, threw flowers into the road as the coffins passed

The coffins were draped in the Malaysian flag and carried by teams of eight soldiers to waiting hearses before being taken to private funerals.

The downing of Flight 17 was the second tragedy to hit the national airline this year following the disappearance of Flight 370 on March 8.

The government was heavily criticised for its response to the missing jet, but Prime Minister Najib Razak won praise for brokering a deal with the pro-Russian separatists to allow for the return of all the bodies on Flight 17 and ensure international access to the black box flight recorders.