Alex Salmond confirms Scot among Ukraine air crash victims
- Published
Stephen Anderson died in the Malaysia Airlines tragedy
One Scot is known to have died after Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 crashed in east Ukraine, First Minister Alex Salmond has confirmed.
Ten UK citizens were among 298 people who were killed in the incident.
Nine of the Britons have been named. The tenth victim is understood to be 44-year-old Stephen Anderson.
The jet was reportedly hit by a missile over a rebel-held area in east Ukraine as it was flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur on Thursday.
Both Ukraine and the rebels have accused each other of shooting it down.
Mr Anderson is reported to have attended school in Inverness and served 23 years with the RAF, including running the search and rescue team at Lossiemouth in Moray.
Describing the incident as an "appalling atrocity", Mr Salmond called for an international investigation to take place "quickly and effectively".
The Malaysia Airlines jet was reportedly hit by a missile over a rebel-held area in east Ukraine as it was flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur on Thursday.
Both Ukraine and the rebels have accused each other of shooting it down.
'Horrific event'
Confirming that a Scot was among the victims, Mr Salmond said: "As we prepare to welcome the Commonwealth Games to Scotland, we should note that around a third of the 298 victims came from Commonwealth nations.
"On behalf of the Scottish government and the people of Scotland, I extend my condolences to their family, and to the families of all of the victims who have died in this horrific event."
He added: "It is now vitally important that an international investigation into the cause of the crash proceeds swiftly and effectively, and that investigation teams are given full access to the crash site.
"The Scottish government is in touch with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to ensure that any and all relevant expertise and experience in Scotland will be made available to the investigation now and in the coming weeks."