Family members of Canberra woman Liliane Derden killed in the Malaysia Airlines disaster were last night flying into Canberra from New Zealand and Europe, according to family friends, as the city went into mourning for those lost in the atrocity.
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Bears for lost children were left outside the front gate of the Netherlands embassy in Canberra on Saturday as a silent tribute to victims, as one by one mourners came to lay their own special gift at the gate of the Yarralumla compound, placing pink tulips, gerberas and daffodils in front of a marble wall that stands between Australian and Dutch soil in Canberra.
The Netherlands has suffered the greatest loss of life in the tragedy. The official condolence register of the Netherlands states there were 193 Dutch passengers on board the aircraft.
Angela Clifford, of Waramanga, laid flowers outside the embassy on Friday to mark the passing of so many lives.
"I have never laid flowers before but I was moved by the heartache and the tragedy of what has happened,'' she said.
The loss has hit close to home for Ms Clifford, who has family in Holland. Her father is Dutch and she spent three years living in Holland as a teenager.
The embassy of the Netherlands in Australia has posted a link on its Facebook page to its national condolence register, which has been flooded with messages full of grief.
Dutch consul-general Willem Cosijn said on Saturday the embassy was waiting on more details from the Australian government about its plans for a memorial service before planning its own event.
The Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Turner, however, has confirmed it will hold a memorial service on Sunday at 11.30am to pray for the victims of the disaster.
It will be held straight after the usual Sunday service and attendees are welcome to bring floral tributes.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has opened a 24-hour family hotline for those who had loved ones on flight MH17. It can be reached by calling 1300 555 135.