Malaysian PM 'shocked' by Malaysia Airlines crash in Ukraine

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, July 17 (UPI) -- Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said he was "shocked" to learn that Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 had disappeared over Ukraine while en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur on Thursday.

In a Twitter message, the prime minister wrote, "I am shocked by reports that an MH plane crashed. We are launching an immediate investigation."

Malaysia Airlines released a statement that the Boeing 777 was carrying 280 passengers and 15 crew member when it disappeared "approximately 50km from the Russia-Ukraine border." It had been scheduled to arrive at Kuala Lumpur International Airport at 6:10 a.m. local time on Friday.