DHAKA: Emergency workers in Ukraine say they have now found 196 bodies at the crash site of Malaysia airliner MH17.

A total of 298 people were on board the plane, when it was reportedly hit by a missile over a rebel-held area in Donetsk region on Thursday.

Western countries have criticised restrictions imposed by rebels at the crash site, and have asked Russia put pressure on them to allow more access.

International observers are expected to visit the site again later on Sunday, reports the BBC.

Ukraine and the pro-Russian rebels have accused each other of shooting down the Boeing 777, which was flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur.

The US State Department said there had been multiple reports of bodies and aircraft parts being removed, and potential evidence tampered with. BBC correspondents say the crash site is still not cordoned off properly.

BDST: 1632 HRS, JUL 20, 2014