International forensic scientists have reached the site of the flight MH17 crash in east Ukraine for the first time in nearly a week, after the government halted military operations.
Wreckage and debris at one of the crash sites of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17. Photo: REUTERS
All 298 people on board the Malaysia Airlines flight died when it was shot down over the Ukraine on 17 July. The dead included New Zealanders Rob Ayley and Mary Menke.
Australian and Dutch police experts arrived in a convoy of Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe monitors, the BBC reported.
Fighting between government and rebel forces had prevented them getting there for nearly a week.
Australia believes about 80 bodies remain at the crash site.
Explosions were reportedly heard near the site after their arrival. A journalist for AFP news agency heard several "powerful" blasts and saw a plume of smoke less than 10km from the crash site.
Russian aviation experts are also in Ukraine, hoping to visit the site.