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HIV experts mourn MH17 crash
World scientists and advocates of HIV/AIDS are mourning the loss of renowned colleagues on board Malaysian Airlines flight MH17, which crashed over Ukraine, killing all 298 people on board last week
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orld scientists and advocates of HIV/AIDS are mourning the loss of renowned colleagues on board Malaysian Airlines flight MH17, which crashed over Ukraine, killing all 298 people on board last week.
The International AIDS Society (IAS) has confirmed the deaths of at least six delegates traveling to the 20th International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2014) in Melbourne, Australia, including former IAS president Joep Lange.
'The extent of our loss is hard to comprehend or express,' said the president of the IAS, Francoise Barre-Sinoussi, during the press conference at the Melbourne Convention Center on Saturday.
'We are very devastated by the tragedy. We grieve alongside all of those throughout the world who have lost friends and families in this senseless tragedy,' the IAS president said.
The IAS and the AIDS 2014 will pay tribute to the loss of the scientists and HIV advocates at the official opening of the 20th International AIDS Conference on Sunday evening.
The loss of their colleagues would certainly affect the mood of the conference, but their spirits would continue to inspire the international AIDS community to work harder to end the epidemic, Sinoussi added.
'Our colleagues were traveling because of their dedication to bringing an end to AIDS,' said Owen Ryan, executive director of the International Society.
'We will honor their commitment and keep them in our hearts as we begin our program on Sunday,' Ryan said.
The AIDS 2014 brings together representatives of science, civil society, politics and the private sector to discuss together at an international level the most pressing issues linked to HIV/AIDS.
Former US president Bill Clinton will deliver the keynote address on July 23.
