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Investigation of the crash site of MH-17 by Dutch and Australian police officers.
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Monday, 20 October 2014 - 08:20
Dutch civilian visits MH17 crash site to honor cousin
A Dutch relative of a MH17 victim traveled to the disaster area in eastern Ukraine. Robby Oehlers is looking for traces of his cousin, Daisy Oehlers, who still has not been identified.
Daisy and her boyfriend, Bryce Frederiksz, were aboard the Malaysia Airlines flight when it was shot down on July 17th. Daisy (20) and Bryce (23) were on their way to Bali for a vacation. They had been living together for a couple of weeks at Bryce's parents.
The 44 year old Oehlers finds that the disaster site is even worse than he had imagined, NOS reports. "There aren't even bodies now. But can you imagine that you are happily going on vacation and then it ends like this? This is almost unreal." he said.
Three months after the disaster, there is still no trace of Daisy. Only Bryce's foot has been found. The family is frustrated and angry that it is taking so long. The search for the remains and personal belongings of the victims only started again last week after it was halted in August.
The family wonders how journalists are able to work in the disaster area while it is deemed too dangerous for investigators and searchers. Robby Oehlers, musician and father of three, felt that something needed to be done and decided to see to the matter himself.
Despite the Dutch authorities' objections, Oehlers got on a plane to the Ukraine on Friday morning. Once at the crash site, he understood the concern. "They said it was dangerous. It really is." In the background he could hear rocket attacks and see smoke clouds in the distance.
Oehlers now understands why the Dutch investigation had been halted. "It is common sense. Such an agent from the Netherlands that came to collect the things of deceased people - that is a mission - but he also has children and a family and he is also in danger. So I understand very well." he continues to say "It's sad to say, but there is simply no investigation that can be done now."
While walking among the wreckage and personal belongings, Oehlers saw a small light blue suitcase. "That is her's, I think. Hopefully." Bryce's mother had told him which luggage the two had taken with them. He decided to take a photo of the suitcase and send it to relatives in the Netherlands. To find out if it indeed belonged to his cousin.
https://twitter.com/MH17Newss/status/524060974077050880