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MH17: Body of British victim and former BBC journalist Glenn Thomas identified MH17: Body of BBC journalist Glenn Thomas identified
(35 minutes later)
A British victim killed when Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 was shot down over Ukraine last month has been formally identified as Glenn Thomas. One of the British victims killed when Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 was shot down over Ukraine in July has been identified as former BBC journalist Glenn Thomas, the Foreign Office confirmed.
The Foreign Office confirmed on Tuesday that the 49-year-old was one of ten Britons among 298 passengers and crew who died onboard the Boeing 777, which was downed by suspected pro-Russia rebels on 17 July. The 49-year-old was among the 298 passengers and crew aboard the flight which was downed by suspected pro-Russian separatists on 17 July.
Mr Thomas leaves behind his partner Claudio and sister Tracey. His family are now making plans for his remains to be returned to his home-town of Blackpool, according to BBC News. Mr Thomas' family are making plans for his body to be returned to his home-town of Blackpool, according to reports on the BBC.
A former BBC journalist, Mr Thomas worked as a communications officer for the World Health Organisation (WHO), and was one of six people who died while travelling to Australia for the 2014 International Aids Conference, onboard the plane flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur. Mr Thomas worked as a media officer for the World Health Organisation (WHO) and was travelling to Australia for a conference on Aids when the plane crashed.
The five other victims headed to the event included Professor Joep Lange, a pioneer of Aids treatment research and former IAS president, as well as his partner and fellow health professional Jacqueline van Tongeren; Martine de Schutter, of Aids Action Europe; Lucie van Mens of The Female Health Company; and Pim de Kuijer of the campaign group Stop Aids Now! He was one of 10 Britons killed in the tragedy, and leaves behind his partner Claudio and sister Tracey.
At the time of his death, WHO spokeswoman Fadela Chaib said: “We have lost a wonderful person and a great professional. Our hearts are broken. We are all in shock.” At the time of his death WHO spokeswoman Fadela Chaib said: “We have lost a wonderful person and a great professional. Our hearts are broken. We are all in shock.”
The announcement comes after victim Liam Sweeney became the first British person onboard flight MH17 to be laid to rest. A Foreign Office spokesman said: “We can confirm the formal identification of another British victim of Flight MH17 Glenn Thomas.
On Friday, the remains of 20 bodies were flown home to Malaysia - the first of the country’s 43 nationals who were killed on flight MH17 when it crashed in July. "Our thoughts are with them [Mr Thomas' family] at this difficult time. We continue to provide consular assistance to the family."
Following the crash, tensions have flared between the West and Russia and fighting has engulfed Ukraine's separatist east. Kiev has repeatedly accused Russia of stirring up trouble within its borders - a claim that Russia denies. Tensions between the West and Russia have flared following the downing of the Boeing 777, which was flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur when it crashed.
Fighting has engulfed Ukraine's separatist east and its government has repeatedly accused Russia of stirring up trouble within its borders.
In the latest development, Ukraine security services has released a video of 10 Russian paratroopers it claimed were captured while fighting alongside pro-Moscow rebels in the east of the country.
However, Russia has always denied supporting and arming rebels in the region.