Press officer Glenn Thomas dies in Malaysian Airlines tragedy
Glenn Thomas, 49, a media officer for the World Health Organisation yesterday died in the Malaysian Airlines tragedy which saw the Boeing 777 shot down by Ukrainian rebels.
Thomas was once a journalist for the BBC
Thomas, was flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur with over 100 AIDS delegates on their way to an International conference when Flight MH17 crashed.
The media, which universally lead with the accident, published graphic images of the wreckage in the Ukrainian countryside this morning.
Paying tribute to Thomas, Fadela Chaib WHO spokesperson, said: “I can confirm he [Thomas] was on the flight travelling to Australia to attend the AIDS conference in Australia.
“For the time being we would like to give his family time to grieve. We have lost a wonderful person and a great professional. Our hearts are broken. We are all in shock.”
Tributes to Thomas flowed in on Twitter, from friends, colleagues and those travelling to the conference.
So sad to hear Glenn Thomas, a great colleague @BBC @UN @WHO, died in #MH17 crash #AIDS2014 http://t.co/USiyzL7eXZ
— Dan Thomas (@DMWThomas) July 18, 2014
We lost one of our colleagues, Glenn Thomas, on the Malaysian Airlines #MH17 that crashed yesterday. He will be greatly missed #RIPGlennWHO — WHO (@WHO) July 18, 2014
So so shocked & sad to hear my former BBC colleague Glenn Thomas died on on #MH17. Worked with him quite a few years. http://t.co/NhV4glYnmc
— Jane Hill (@JaneHillNews) July 18, 2014
A further two of the Brits killed in the crash were Newcastle United fans John Alder and Liam Sweeney who were travelling to see their side compete in the Football United Tour of New Zealand.
We are deeply saddened to learn that two members of the #NUFC family lost their lives on board Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 yesterday.
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) July 18, 2014
Russian papers distanced themselves from the separatists who were accused of the attack.