KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 22 ― As the first remains of MH17 victims were brought back today, a life insurance group said a total of RM7.1 million in compensation has yet to be claimed by the next of kin of passengers on that flight, as well as on MH370 which disappeared without a trace in March.

Malay language daily Utusan Malaysia reported Life Insurance Association Of Malaysia (LIAM) president Vincent Kwo as saying that the amount was part of the RM34.2 million compensation prepared by insurance companies for the victims on both flights.

“Until last July, RM15.9 million from RM18.7 million insurance for passengers on MH370 was paid to their heirs, while the remainder has yet to be claimed.

As for MH17 victims, RM11.2 million from RM15.5 million in compensation has been claimed and there is still remaining RM4.3 million involving 95 insurance policies,” he  was quoted as saying.

Forty three of the 298 people aboard MH17, which was shot down while flying over Ukrainian airspace on July 17, were Malaysian.

Meanwhile, there were 38 Malaysians among the 227 people on MH370, which disappeared on March 8 and is still missing, believed to be in the Indian Ocean.