Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 Crash Claims Delegates to Melbourne AIDS Conference

The Malaysia Airlines MH17 crash in Ukraine has reportedly claimed the lives of some of the world's top medical researchers, on their way to Melbourne for the high-profile 20th International AIDS Conference.

Conference organisers have this morning released the following statement on their 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.

"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."

One of those believed to have been on board is former president of the International AIDS Society Joep Lange. American academic and AIDS activist Gregg Gonsalves tweeted, "Joep Lange was a leading AIDS researcher and clinician and an activist at heart. Lost today too soon on Malaysian flight 019. RIP."

Two hundred and ninety eight people have died in the tragedy, including 27 confirmed Australians. The plane crashed in Ukraine, in a separatist-controlled area near the Russian border, likely after being hit with a surface-to-air missile.

It is unclear at this stage how the crash will affect AIDS 2014, which commences on Sunday and has now taken on an even more tragic tone. Former US president Bill Clinton, UNAIDS executive director Michel Sidibé and musician and activist Sir Bob Geldof are also scheduled to speak at the conference, whose official airline partner is Emirates.

Update 1.17pm: It now appears that as many as 100 of those killed were headed to the AIDS 2014 conference.

Via Sky News and SMH.