An international outpouring of grief continues after the shooting down of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 killed 298 people, including 28 Australians and eight permanent Australian residents.

International monitors have now been allowed to visit more of the crash site, though pro-Russian gunmen still stopped them approaching some of the wreckage amid reports bodies have been removed from the site.

Australia is taking a lead role in pushing for an international investigation in the crash, with foreign minister Julie Bishop on her way to the United States.

Russian president Vladimir Putin has signaled support for an multi-national investigation into the incident, despite Moscow continuing to accuse the West of being too quick to blame Russian-backed separatists for shooting the plane down.

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