Amsterdam (AFP) - Dutch banks said Saturday they were taking "preventative measures" after reports of credit cards being looted from the Ukrainian crash site of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17, where 192 Dutch citizens died.

"International media report that victims' bank cards have been stolen," the Dutch Banking Association said in a statement

"Banks are taking preventative measures as necessary," it said, adding that any losses suffered by relatives of the dead would be paid back.

Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 came down in rebel-held eastern Ukraine on Thursday with 298 people on board.

The area has been under the control of Russian-backed separatists since the crash, preventing international investigators from gaining access.