HIV researchers heading to Melbourne for the AIDS2014 conference are among the passengers on board Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 that was shot down on the Russian-Ukraine border. 1PM: Shocked New Zealand AIDS Foundation staff heard the news as they were on the way to Melbourne for the conference. “We’re shocked and horrified," says Executive Director Shaun Robinson. "Our deep condolences to the families of everyone on-board the flight. This is very sad news and will no doubt have an effect on everyone at the conference." 1PM: 12.20PM: The International AIDS Society has confirmed a number of AIDS2014 delegates have been killed. "The International AIDS Society today expresses its sincere sadness at receiving news that a number of colleagues and friends en route to attend the 20th International AIDS Conference taking place in Melbourne, Australia, were on board the Malaysian Airlines MH17 flight that has crashed over Ukraine earlier today," it says in a statement. "At this incredibly sad and sensitive time the IAS stands with our international family and sends condolences to the loved ones of those who have been lost to this tragedy." Tweet from Helen Clark: 12.18PM: World Health Organization media relations coordinator Glenn Thomas is reported to be among those killed. Dr. Rachel Baggaley, of the HIV Department at the WHO has just landed in Melbourne. She’s told vox.com "I'm very shocked," she said. "I'm just devastated. He's a very close colleague whom I work with on a daily basis." She added: "He just had his birthday, he was going to plan all sorts of celebrations." Dr. Baggaley says she is awaiting confirmation about who else was on the flight. 12.15: Tweet from Yvette Fleming, manager of Stop Aids Now: 11.55AM: UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibe has tweeted: Joep Lange 11.30AM: HIV researchers heading to Melbourne for the AIDS2014 conference are reported to have been among the passengers on board Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 that was shot down on the Russian-Ukraine border. Leading Dutch researcher Joep Lange is believed to be among those killed. He is a former president of the International AIDS Society who specialises in HIV therapy. Australian Greens leader Christine Milne has said in the Senate: "I understand from the most recent reports that it is understood that at least one and maybe more experts coming to Australia for the International Aids Conference were on board the flight. "That means the ramifications go to all the people who are at that conference this weekend and no doubt as more details emerge this tragedy will touch many, many Australians." The conference is due to begin on Sunday. The flight left from the Amsterdam airport Schiphol. It's believed it was due to switch to a Melbourne-bound flight after its scheduled landing in Kuala Lumpur.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Friday, 18th July 2014 - 11:36am