Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said Thursday that dozens of his country's nationals might have been killed in the Malaysian plane crash over the eastern part of Ukraine, Xinhua reported.
"This might be the biggest air disaster in Dutch history," he added. "The beautiful summer day ends in the worst possible way. It is dramatic news I can hardly believe it," Rutte said at the Schiphol Airport Thursday night.
The Malaysia Airlines MH17 passenger plane crashed Thursday near the Russian border, with all the 280 passengers and 15 crew members on board reportedly killed.
According to first estimates, dozens of Dutch citizens were in the plane from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur.
Rutte, who left Brussels Wednesday for holidays in Germany, returned with a government plane after hearing of the disaster.
"It is very important that we get more clarity," said Rutte in a short statement at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. "I am shocked, devastated. The Netherlands is in mourning. My thoughts are with the victims, relatives, family and friends."
