Sydney, July 16: The Australian Federal Police (AFP) has launched a new podcast today, titled ‘Search Among the Sunflowers: Looking for truth in the world’s biggest crime scene,’ which delves into the complex investigation of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17.
The podcast release coincides with the upcoming 10-year anniversary of the incident on 17 July.
Flight MH17 was shot down over eastern Ukraine in 2014, claiming the lives of 15 crew members and 283 passengers, including 80 children. Among the victims were 38 Australian residents.
The podcast recounts the tragedy’s profound impact on several Australian families and highlights the AFP’s mission to repatriate the victims.
The five-part series features first-hand accounts from family members, investigators, and specialist police officers involved in the mission.
The series, named after the sunflowers that grew in the Ukrainian field where the plane was downed, includes 18 new interviews and over 21 hours of audio recordings, offering a poignant insight into the human stories and emotional challenges faced by those affected.
AFP Assistant Commissioner Peter Crozier reflected on the unprecedented nature of the emergency response to MH17, known as Operation Arew.
“Our response to the downing of MH17 was unprecedented. Within the blink of an eye, our world had changed forever. And that’s when our international emergency response and investigation began,” said Crozier. “The mission was clear – bring the Australians who had lost their lives home to their loved ones, and then, together with our international partners, seek justice for those responsible.”
The AFP coordinated closely with international law enforcement partners, the Australian Defence Force (ADF), and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) in the aftermath of the tragedy.
“The AFP was committed to the harrowing task of victim identification. The AFP’s forensic capability, in particular geospatial technology, was critical in the response to the MH17 victim recovery,” Crozier added.
Family Investigative Liaison Officers (FILOs) also played a crucial role in supporting the victims’ families. “The FILOs were established around the time of the 2002 Bali bombings. They continue to support those who call Australia home and their families affected by major incidents such as aircraft crashes, natural disasters, kidnappings, and terrorist incidents,” said Crozier.
“The downing of MH17 was no different, and many families remain in close contact with our FILOs to this very day.”
The podcast underscores the collaborative efforts of the Joint Investigation Team (JIT), which includes representatives from Australia, Belgium, Malaysia, the Netherlands, and Ukraine.
‘Search Among the Sunflowers’ is available on major podcast platforms or by visiting http://afp.gov.au/MH17.
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