The bodies of 20 of the 43 Malaysians killed on downed flight MH17 have arrived in Kuala Lumpur.

They have been received by senior government officials at the capital’s airport.

This Friday, (August 22), has been declared a day of national mourning.

Malaysians have been asked to wear black, refrain from festive activities and flags are being flown at half-mast.

Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 was shot down over separatist-held eastern Ukraine on July 17 while en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur.

All 298 passengers and crew were killed. Their bodies were first brought to the Netherlands for identification before being repatriated.