PM Tony Abbott says two of the Australian victims of the MH17 disaster will be transported to the Netherlands this afternoon, but many bodies are still unaccounted for.
The shrine to the MH17 victims that has evolved at Melbourne’s City Square. Picture: Ellen Smith Source: News Corp Australia
VICTORIANS will have a chance to grieve for the victims of the MH17 plane disaster at a public memorial service in Melbourne this morning.
The service will be a chance for Victorians to show their support for the family and friends of those killed when the Malaysia Airlines plane was shot down over Ukraine.
The multi-faith event will be held at St Paul’s Cathedral on Flinders St, at 10am, and will be attended by dignitaries including Victorian Governor Alex Chernov and Premier Denis Napthine.
WATCH THE MEMORIAL SERVICE FROM 10AM
Delegates from the 20th International AIDS Conference also are likely to attend the event, to mourn colleagues who lost their lives on the journey to Melbourne.
Dr Napthine announced the details of the service earlier this week, and said the “significant outpouring of grief for those innocent victims” had led to the decision to hold a public gathering.
“I think having a church service now, particularly with the AIDS 2014 (conference) in a nearby location, gives people a chance to come together and express their grief and also express their support and sympathy for the families and communities affected,” he said.
A total of 36 Australians, including eight permanent residents, have been confirmed among the dead after the Malaysia Airlines flight was shot out of the sky.
Victoria carries the highest death toll of any Australian state, with 10 citizens and eight permanent residents among the dead. The service has been arranged by St Paul’s Cathedral with support from the Victorian Council of Churches.
Speakers will include Dr Napthine, Anglican Dean of Melbourne Andreas Lowe, Catholic Archbishop of Melbourne Denis Hart and Imam Sheikh Moustapha Sarakibi from the Islamic Council of Victoria.
matthew.johnston@news.com.au
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