Brunei's Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah sent condolence messages on Friday to Malaysian and Dutch leaders following the crash of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 in east Ukraine, with all 298 people on board killed on Thursday.

The Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777-200ER which was traveling from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur carrying 298 passengers and crew on board went down when they flew over the Ukraine sky zone on Thursday night.

His Majesty said in his message that he was deeply saddened to the shocking incident. His Majesty further stated that Her Majesty Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hjh Saleha, the government and the people of Brunei joined him in expressing their condolences and sympathies to the victims' families.

Meanwhile, Department of Civil Aviation Brunei has confirmed that there was no Bruneian citizen board the plane in a press release. Brunei national carrier, Royal Brunei, has also clarified and assured their passengers that all Royal Brunei flights have not been flying over Ukraine airspace since the conflict happened in that country in their official twitter account.

However, Brunei Shell Petroleum in their press release stated that after reviewing the traveler records and airline manifests, they have confirmed that Shell staff were aboard MH17, which went down in Ukraine while traveling from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur.

Brunei Shell Petroleum was still working on a definitive list of employees and was unable to provide further information on Friday and expressed their deepest condolences to the families of the victims onboard. Brunei Shell Petroleum was also providing support to the families of their employees to help them get through this time of grief.