The Dutch government has formally apologized for the 1947 massacre of up to 430 young men and boys during Indonesia's war for independence.

The Netherlands ambassador to Indonesia, Tjeerd de Zwaan, apologized to families of the victims at a tearful ceremony on Friday in the Indonesian town on Rawagede.

On December 9, 1947, Dutch troops entered the city looking for an Indonesian resistance leader who had been carrying out attacks on Dutch forces. When villagers said they did not know his location, the men were rounded up and killed execution style.

The apology follows a Hague-based court ruling that found the Dutch state was responsible for the massacre.

Seven widows and a survivor of the massacre had brought the case to court.

The Dutch state is expected to offer compensation to the families of the victims.

Dutch officials estimate that 150 people were killed in the incident, while many Indonesians say the toll was 431.