World Health Organisation spokesman Glenn Thomas has been named as one of the nine British citizens killed when Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 crashed near the Ukraine-Russian border, the WHO has confirmed.
I lost a great friend, a wonderful professional comrade & the world lost a fantastic man :-( RIP Glenn Thomas #MH17
Thomas was a former BBC journalist and worked at the WHO's headquarter in Geneva, Switzerland.
The 49-year-old was heading towards an international HIV conference in Melbourne. It is believed that 107 other researchers and staff from the WHO were on the flight.
It is understood that Thomas has a twin sister, Tracey, who lives in Blackpool.
Speaking to Vox News, Dr Rachel Baggaley of the HIV Department at the WHO said: "I'm just devastated. He's a very close colleague whom I work with on a daily basis. He just had his birthday – he was going to plan all sorts of celebrations."
Devastated colleagues of Thomas have expressed their condolences, with many using a "#RIPGlennWHO" hashtag.
I grieve for my friend and former WHO colleague Glenn Thomas who died in the missile attack on #MH17 over Ukraine. #RIPGlennWHO
Glenn Thomas, media adviser at @WHO, named as one of 9 dead Britons on board Flight #MH17 http://t.co/3wyMAszDBO
Very sad to hear - my former BBC colleague Glenn Thomas is first Briton named on Malaysia Airlines MH17 crash #RIP http://t.co/pto57QH9w0
Saddened to learn that my friend and @WHO staff who was traveling to @AIDS_conference to Melbourne was on flight #MH17. RIP #Glenn Thomas
Woke to discover that my friend, Glenn Thomas, Comms. Officer for WHO has died in MH117 crash. A lovely man and a lot of fun. RIP Glenn.
Just found out that a former BBC colleague, Glenn Thomas, was among those killed in yesterday's plane crash. A really nice man. Awful news.
Thinking of you, @HaertlG, @setiogi, @cfeig & the rest of the amazing @WHO folks. So saddened to hear about lovely, funny, whip-smart Glenn
The WHO said that he was a “great colleague” who will be missed.
We lost one of our colleagues, Glenn Thomas, on the Malaysian Airlines #MH17 that crashed yesterday. He will be greatly missed #RIPGlennWHO