20 AIDS experts killed in Ukraine plane crash

Dunno who they were, but they were on the way to the 20th International AIDS conference in Melbourne this Sunday. It's a long long way from Amsterdam to Melbourne, and they'd have needed time to get over the jet lag.

HIV experts and AIDS researchers are reportedly among those lost in the Malaysia Airline plane crash in the Ukraine. 

The 20th International AIDS Conference, or AIDS 2014, is due to begin in Melbourne on Sunday with over 25,000 delegates expected to attend. 

Several reports state that up to 20 AIDS scientist and researchers were on the board the flight from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur. 

Some people have already taken to social media to express their sympathy upon hearing reports of attendees and speakers of AIDS 2014 have died in the crash. 

Organisers have released a statement to the media about delegates on the flight. 

"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 IAS statement read. 

"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." 

AIDS 2014 runs from July 20-25. link