Australian couple whose children died on MH17 welcome baby

In this undated family handout photo distributed by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, baby Violet May Maslin is photographed shortly after her birth, Tuesday, May 10, 2016, in Perth, Australia. An Australian couple whose three children were killed in the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 two years ago has welcomed baby Violet. (Maslin Family/Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT (The Associated Press)

SYDNEY – An Australian couple whose three children were killed in the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 over Ukraine two years ago has welcomed a new baby.

Anthony Maslin and Marite Norris said in a statement that the birth of their daughter, Violet May Maslin, on Tuesday had brought them "love and light, hope and joy" after enduring two years of grief over the loss of their children.

The children died along with their grandfather when Flight 17 was shot down over eastern Ukraine in July 2014.

The couple said they believe Violet's birth is a testament to their belief that love is stronger than hate.

A Dutch civil investigation concluded that the plane was downed by a Soviet-designed Buk surface-to-air missile. All 298 people on board were killed.