Sombre mood at smalltown military base housing MH17 victims
The Malay Mail Online – 4 hours agoRELATED CONTENT
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HILVERSUM (Netherlands), July 26 — For the first time since its construction more than 50 years ago, the Korporaal Van Oudheusden barracks in Hilversum now has a sombre atmosphere, as the victims’ remains from MH17 arrive here in batches.
Never before has something of this magnitude taken place at the medical military base, which has been home to top forensics experts and pathologists.
So far, 130 bodies have been transported here in two batches, where a team of forensic experts will work to identify them in a process that could take months.
A cleaner who has been working at the base for more than 10 years said the fact that the Dutch were using this base showed how much they respect and honour the victims of the ill-fated flight.
The 46-year-old man said the base used to be an active place where top medical experts underwent training.
“But now it’s just a very sad place, it is the home to innocent people who had been brutally killed. For now, it’s a resting place for our people, and your people too,” he said, referring to the writer from Malaysia.
He said he could not think of a safer place for the victims’ remains to be kept.
“I am in a way glad that the victims are now sleeping comfortably inside, after their remains were treated inhumanely when they were left unattended for days,” he said.
“We are all hurting together. Our country has never seen such a tragedy. It is a really sad time for us.”
In front of the military base, people could be seen paying their respects as they passed by on their way to work, in this small town that has become the centre of global attention following the MH17 tragedy.
The Dutch people seemed reserved and dignified in their mourning as they silently gathered outside. Family and friends of the victims were seen saying prayers and keeping to themselves.
“Since the first batch of the bodies arrived here, something about Hilversum has changed,” said Esmee Jensen, 33.
“The town has never faced something like this before. We are in a state of shock and still grieving for our people and others.”
Jensen said the tragedy of Flight MH17 was not something that could easily be recovered from.
“I think we all need to care for each other during this terrible time and most importantly to the family members.”
Malay Mail could not enter the military base for security reasons.
The 100km procession of the third batch of remains will be arriving today at 2am Malaysian time to receive a similar ceremony.
Hilversum lies 30km southeast of Amsterdam and has a population of 90,000.
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