OTTAWA, July 22, /ITAR-TASS/. Accident investigation experts from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) arrived in the Ukraine over the weekend to begin assisting their Ukrainian counterparts with the official accident investigation into the loss of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17, ICAO said in a press release Monday.

The task the experts are fulfilling during the mission is to “assist with fact-finding” and “to ensure that all evidence is thoroughly considered as the investigation seeks to determine how the aircraft and its 298 passengers and were tragically lost late last week.”

“ICAO’s accident investigation experts are in the Ukraine to respond to a call for assistance from the State’s National Bureau of Incidents and Accidents Investigation of Civil Aircraft,” commented ICAO Council President, Dr. Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu.

“Their work relates to Annex 13 investigations, the objective of which is to determine the causes of an accident and to make recommendations that will help prevent future accidents. This is a painstaking process and the collaboration of all concerned with the international team of investigators, notably where access to all evidence and data is concerned, will be greatly appreciated,” the press release quoted Dr. Aliu as saying.

He also encouraged the ICAO member-stated concerned “to promptly address the needs of victims’ families with necessary services and information, as per ICAO’s policy guidance in this area.