A Number Of Passengers On The Downed Malaysia Airliner Were Headed To International AIDS Conference

A number of people who were headed to the International Aids Conference in Melbourne, Australia were onboard the Malaysia Airlines plane when it was shot down over eastern Ukraine, the conference announced on its website.

"The International AIDS Society (IAS) 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," the society wrote. "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."

The flight carrying 298 people out of Amsterdam was headed to Kuala Lumpur, with some of the passengers planning to connect for a follow-on flight to Australia. As the flight passed over territory held by pro-Russian separatists, it was shot down by a surface-to-air missile.

Dr. Joep Lange, A leading HIV researcher from the Netherlands, was reportedly onboard according to the Daily Mail. His death was not yet confirmed, but many took to Twitter to express condolences:

What a HUGE loss to the world. Just learned that dear friend, amazing father to 5 girls and veteran AIDS researcher Joep Lange was on #MH17

- Dr. Seema Yasmin (@DoctorYasmin) July 17, 2014

Joep Lange was a leading AIDS researcher and clinician and an activist at heart. Lost today too soon on Malaysian flight 019. RIP

- Gregg Gonsalves (@gregggonsalves) July 17, 2014

Glen Raymond Thomas, a spokesman for the World Health Organization based in Geneva, was also reportedly onboard.

Saddened to learn that my friend and @WHO staff who was traveling to @AIDS_conference to Melbourne was on flight #MH17. RIP #Glenn Thomas

- Haileyesus Getahun (@haileygetahun) July 17, 2014

More to come...