Ukraine has accused pro-Russian rebels of trying to destroy evidence of international crimes at the crash site of a Malaysia Airlines plane.

The government said the rebels were preventing international representatives and its own experts from starting their investigation. It is believed flight MH17 crashed after being hit by a surface-to-air missile fired from a rebel-held area in east Ukraine on Thursday. All 298 people on board died.

Western countries have demanded that Russia put pressure on Ukrainian rebels to allow unhindered access to the site of Thursday's Malaysia Airlines crash. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte asked Russian President Vladimir Putin that time is running out to show he can help. Most crash victims were Dutch.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel also spoke to Mr. Putin yesterday, urging his co-operation. The US and Britain also told Russia that full access to the area was needed. Both Ukraine and the pro-Russian rebels have accused each other of shooting down the Boeing 777. Meanwhile, Malaysian Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussain has urged the International community for cooperation.