Forty-two more victims were identified from remains taken from the crash site of the passenger jet, where an operation to recover victims' belongings has been halted because of intensifying clashes between Ukrainian troops and pro-Russian separatists.

"Of the victims, 21 were Dutch and the other 21 another nationality," the Justice Ministry said in a statement.

"The specific nationalities of the other victims are not being revealed on the request of their countries' embassies," it added.

Forensics investigation coordinator Arie de Bruijn said on Friday that around 176 "more or less" complete bodies have arrived in the Netherlands as well as 527 body parts.

"A team of specialists are working around the clock, but again, it could still take months before each victim can be identified," the Dutch government said.

Meanwhile, the last of the Dutch, Australian and Malaysian investigators were leaving Ukraine for the Netherlands, national news agency ANP reported. more