Two days after a Malaysia Airlines passenger jet with 298 people on board was shot out of the sky over Eastern Ukraine, dozens of people in Ottawa held a vigil for the victims.
They gathered outside of the Dutch embassy to lay flowers, light candles, and write messages of condolences on large placards.
On Thursday, Malaysia Airlines flight 17 was shot down over Eastern Ukraine near the Russian border, an area has been the site of ongoing fighting and violence for months.
All 298 people on board were killed, including 80 children, and one Canadian, 24-year-old Andrei Anghel.
The victims were from 13 nations, though most were from the Netherlands.
The vigil turned to protest as mourners marched to the Russian embassy.
Protesters believe pro-Russian separatists shot down flight MH17.
They are demanding the perpetrators be held accountable.
“This should not have happened, if Russia hadn't invaded Ukraine this would not have happened,” said Inna Platonova, with the group Russian Speaking Canada for Peace, and one of the protest organizers.
The U.S. believes the jet was likely brought down by a missile launched from eastern Ukraine, an area held by separatists.
Ukraine and pro-Russian separatists have both denied shooting down the plane.
