MH17 crash: World leaders shocked by downing of MAS plane

PETALING JAYA: World leaders expressed their shock over the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 which was reportedly shot down by insurgents in the border of Russia and Ukraine. 

Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said he was shocked and sad to hear about the incident.

In his Facebook posting, Lee said: "Our thoughts and prayers are with the passengers and crew, and their families."

Russian President Vladimir Putin offered his condolences to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

Putin noted in his official website that the crash led to numerous casualties.

"The President of Russia asked the Prime Minister of Malaysia to convey his deepest sympathy and support to the victims' families," the website added.

British Prime Minister David Cameron said he was "shocked" by the incident.

Writing on Twitter, Cameron said: "I'm shocked and saddened by the Malaysian air disaster."

He added that government officials were meeting "to establish the facts".

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said he was "deeply shocked" by the crash of the MAS jetliner.

"I am deeply shocked by this dramatic news," he said in a statement.

United States president Barack Obama Thursday said the crash was a "terrible tragedy" and US officials were trying to establish if any Americans were on board.

"The world is watching reports of a downed passenger jet near the Russia/Ukraine border. And it looks like it may be a terrible tragedy," Obama said, before going ahead with a previously scheduled event in Wilmington, Delaware.