SINGAPORE - No Singaporeans have been reported to be on the Malaysia Airlines (MAS) flight which crashed in eastern Ukraine on Thursday night, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

However, the ministry said it remained in close contact with the airlines and the relevant airport authorities in a bid to ascertain the nationalities of several dozen passengers.

None of the 298 passengers on board Flight MH17 survived. The latest statement from MAS on Friday morning said nationals from at least nine countries were on board the plane, and that it was still trying to verify the nationalities of 41 passengers.

"Singapore is shocked and saddened to learn of the tragic crash of Flight MH17," the foreign ministry said in its statement.

It added: "The Government and people of Singapore send our deepest condolences to the families of the victims in this time of profound grief. We also stand in solidarity with the Government and people of Malaysia during this difficult period."

The ministry also called for a "full and transparent investigation" into the incident, and urged that the investigation team be given full access to evidence and the affected areas.

"We stand ready to offer any possible assistance," the ministry added.

Meanwhile, Singaporeans who require consular assistance related to this incident can contact the ministry's 24-hour duty-office at the following numbers and email address:

Tel: 6379 8800, 6379 8855 (24 hours)

Fax: 6476-7302

Email: mfa_duty_officer@mfa.gov.sg