Malaysian Airlines settles damages with families of MH17 crash victims

Malaysia Airlines has settled damages with the relatives of most victims of the MH17 crash, the lawyer representing the victims said. The Flight MH17 was shot down exactly two years ago over territory held by pro-Russian separatists, killing all 298 people on board, most of them Dutch. Dutch media say there are no further details because both parties have agreed to secrecy. 

A memorial service was held for the victims yesterday



near Schiphol. Under the Montreal Convention, which regulates air travel, airlines must pay damages of up to about 145,000 US dollars to victims' families, regardless of the circumstances of a crash. Exactly how much each individual is awarded depends on the circumstances. Yesterday's anniversary was also the deadline for submitting damages claims. Now an agreement has been reached, a long process for the relatives has come to an end.