AMSTERDAM: Dutch banks said on Saturday they were taking “preventative measures” after reports of credit cards being looted from the Ukrainian crash site of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17, where 198 Dutch citizens died.

“International media report that victims’ bank cards have been stolen,” the Dutch Banking Association said in a statement.

“Banks are taking preventative measures as necessary,” it said, adding that any losses suffered by relatives of the dead would be paid back.

Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 came down in rebel-held eastern Ukraine on Thursday with 298 people on board.

Published in Dawn, July 20th, 2014