Data retrieved from the MH17 black box shows that the plane was hit multiple times from a missile explosion, according to European officials.

According to a Fairfax report, European officials have described the plane crash as a “massive explosive decompression”, with black box data showing the plane was hit multiple times by shrapnel.

• AFP scrap MH17 site visit

A European air safety official told CBS news that the missile “did what it was designed to do – bring down airplanes.”

Malaysian, Australian and Dutch investigators are yet to unearth any more solid evidence establishing the cause of the crash, with fighting at the crash site impeding their access to the wreckage.

There are reports of heavy shelling in the area, with the Netherlands’ security and justice department saying the situation was too unstable for international investigators.

Fifty unarmed Australian Federal Police officers have been deployed to Ukraine but have had to abandon their plans to visit the crash site due to safety concerns.