THE HAGUE, Aug. 14 -- The criminal investigation into the disaster flight MH17 from Malaysia Airlines in Ukraine is the largest of its kind in the Dutch history, the public prosecutor announced on Thursday.

The prosecution has deployed dozens of prosecutors, who lead the research conducted by some 200 investigators with different specialties.

The Dutch Ministry of Justice took the initiative in international cooperation with the countries affected by the disaster.

The National Office of the public prosecutor leads the investigation. The prosecution and the police have intensive consultations with other countries on international cooperation in research.

The main purpose of the criminal investigation is to determine the cause of the plane crash and consequently identify the perpetrators. The disaster cost the life of 298 people, among whom nearly 200 were Dutch.