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MH17 crash in Ukraine: Nine Britons on board - airline MH17 crash in Ukraine: Nine Britons on board - airline
(35 minutes later)
Two football fans and a worker from the World Health Organization were among the UK passengers on Malaysia Airlines flight MH17, it has been confirmed.Two football fans and a worker from the World Health Organization were among the UK passengers on Malaysia Airlines flight MH17, it has been confirmed.
Some 298 people were on the Boeing 777 flight to Kuala Lumpur, which crashed in eastern Ukraine after taking off from Amsterdam.Some 298 people were on the Boeing 777 flight to Kuala Lumpur, which crashed in eastern Ukraine after taking off from Amsterdam.
At least nine Britons were passengers on the flight, the airline has said.At least nine Britons were passengers on the flight, the airline has said.
UK Prime Minister David Cameron said the crash was an "appalling, shocking, horrific incident".UK Prime Minister David Cameron said the crash was an "appalling, shocking, horrific incident".
Speaking after he chaired a meeting of the Cobra emergency committee, he said: "If as seems possible this was brought down then those responsible must be held to account."Speaking after he chaired a meeting of the Cobra emergency committee, he said: "If as seems possible this was brought down then those responsible must be held to account."
Both sides in Ukraine's conflict have accused each other of shooting down the plane with a missile.
British passengers on the flight included John Alder and Liam Sweeney, who were understood to have been travelling to New Zealand to watch Newcastle United's pre-season tour of the country.British passengers on the flight included John Alder and Liam Sweeney, who were understood to have been travelling to New Zealand to watch Newcastle United's pre-season tour of the country.
Malaysian Airlines has confirmed both men were passengers on the plane. Briton Glenn Thomas, 49, a press officer at the World Health Organization (WHO) and former BBC journalist, was also on the flight, it has been confirmed.
A statement from Newcastle United paid tribute to Mr Alder and Mr Sweeney, who it said were "two of the club's most loyal supporters".A statement from Newcastle United paid tribute to Mr Alder and Mr Sweeney, who it said were "two of the club's most loyal supporters".
Club manager Alan Pardew said: "Myself and all the players are deeply shocked and saddened by this terrible news".Club manager Alan Pardew said: "Myself and all the players are deeply shocked and saddened by this terrible news".
Newcastle's players are to wear black armbands for both their games against Sydney FC and Wellington Phoenix in New Zealand.Newcastle's players are to wear black armbands for both their games against Sydney FC and Wellington Phoenix in New Zealand.
Briton Glenn Thomas, 49, a press officer at the World Health Organization (WHO) and former BBC journalist, was also on the flight, it has been confirmed. It has emerged that Mr Thomas had been travelling to Australia to attend an international conference on Aids.
He had been travelling to Australia to attend an international conference on Aids.
WHO spokeswoman Fadela Chaib said: "For the time being we would like to give his family time to grieve.WHO spokeswoman Fadela Chaib said: "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.""We have lost a wonderful person and a great professional. Our hearts are broken. We are all in shock."
Richard Porter, controller of English services for BBC World Service Group, also paid tribute to ex-colleague Mr Thomas, who he said was a "much loved and respected" journalist.Richard Porter, controller of English services for BBC World Service Group, also paid tribute to ex-colleague Mr Thomas, who he said was a "much loved and respected" journalist.
He said Mr Porter's interest in journalism was "only matched by his interest in humanitarian issues" and said former workmates were "reeling" from the news. He said Mr Thomas' interest in journalism was "only matched by his interest in humanitarian issues" and said former workmates were "reeling" from the news.
Meanwhile, Mr Cameron said he has spoken with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte to offer his condolences to the "Dutch people". The UK is sending air accident investigators to Kiev to be on stand-by for any investigation into the crash, while British police officers are also travelling to Ukraine to help repatriate bodies.
At least 173 people on board flight MH17 were from the Netherlands, Malaysia Airlines has said. The BBC understands Britain has also been pressing for the UN Security Council to call for an independent investigation into what happened to flight MH17.
The airline has said some passengers' nationalities are yet to be determined. The UN Security Council will meet to discuss the incident at 15:00 BST.
At least 173 people on board flight MH17 were from the Netherlands and at least 27 were from Australia, Malaysia Airlines has said.
The PM tweeted: "I've just spoken to the Dutch PM, Mark Rutte. I told him we grieve with him and the Dutch people."The PM tweeted: "I've just spoken to the Dutch PM, Mark Rutte. I told him we grieve with him and the Dutch people."
Mr Cameron is also seeking to speak to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Some nationalities unverified
The Duke of Cambridge also spoke of his "deep sadness" over the crash during a speech at a planned event at Australia House.The Duke of Cambridge also spoke of his "deep sadness" over the crash during a speech at a planned event at Australia House.
"For all of us who have lost fellow countrymen and women in the tragedy, words cannot do justice to our sense of loss," he said."For all of us who have lost fellow countrymen and women in the tragedy, words cannot do justice to our sense of loss," he said.
The airline has said some passengers' nationalities are yet to be determined.
A statement on the Malaysia Airlines website said nine of the passengers were from the UK, with 41 nationalities listed as "unverified".
The UK Foreign Office has set up a helpline on 020 7008 1500, while anyone concerned could also text MH17 to +44 7860010026, or fill in an online form.The UK Foreign Office has set up a helpline on 020 7008 1500, while anyone concerned could also text MH17 to +44 7860010026, or fill in an online form.
Flight MH17 came down between Krasni Luch, in Luhansk region, and Shakhtarsk in the neighbouring region of Donetsk - 50km from the Russia-Ukraine border.Flight MH17 came down between Krasni Luch, in Luhansk region, and Shakhtarsk in the neighbouring region of Donetsk - 50km from the Russia-Ukraine border.
Both sides in Ukraine's conflict have accused each other of shooting down the plane with a missile.
A statement on the Malaysia Airlines website said nine of the passengers were from the UK, with 41 nationalities listed as "unverified".
Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said he was "deeply shocked" by the "appalling incident" and declined to speculate on the causes.
The UN Security Council will also meet to discuss the incident at 15:00 BST.
Mr Hammond told a press conference: "We are currently working through passenger data, cross-checking it and referencing it to establish exactly the numbers and identifies of those British nationals and as soon as we have further information we will be in contact with the families."
He also called for a UN-led international investigation.
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said "no stone will be left unturned" in the investigation into what happened.Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said "no stone will be left unturned" in the investigation into what happened.
Mr Najib said the passengers and crew had come from many different countries.Mr Najib said the passengers and crew had come from many different countries.
He added: "Today, regardless of nationality, we are all united in grief."He added: "Today, regardless of nationality, we are all united in grief."
Latest figures released by Malaysia Airlines show the plane was carrying at least 173 Dutch nationals, 27 Australians, 44 Malaysians -including 15 crew - 12 Indonesians along with nine Britons.Latest figures released by Malaysia Airlines show the plane was carrying at least 173 Dutch nationals, 27 Australians, 44 Malaysians -including 15 crew - 12 Indonesians along with nine Britons.
There were also passengers from Germany, Belgium, the Philippines and Canada, the airline has said.There were also passengers from Germany, Belgium, the Philippines and Canada, the airline has said.
Avoiding airspaceAvoiding airspace
Ukraine's president has called the loss of the plane an "act of terrorism" as the separatist rebels denied shooting it down.Ukraine's president has called the loss of the plane an "act of terrorism" as the separatist rebels denied shooting it down.
US President Barack Obama, who spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin about the crash earlier, said it was a "terrible tragedy" and that US officials were trying to establish if any Americans had been on board.US President Barack Obama, who spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin about the crash earlier, said it was a "terrible tragedy" and that US officials were trying to establish if any Americans had been on board.
Meanwhile, leading airlines have announced they are now avoiding airspace surrounding eastern Ukraine.Meanwhile, leading airlines have announced they are now avoiding airspace surrounding eastern Ukraine.
The Department for Transport said flights that were already airborne were being routed around the area.The Department for Transport said flights that were already airborne were being routed around the area.
British Airways said the safety and security of its customers was its top priority.British Airways said the safety and security of its customers was its top priority.
It added: "Our flights are not using Ukrainian airspace, with the exception of our once a day service between Heathrow and Kiev.It added: "Our flights are not using Ukrainian airspace, with the exception of our once a day service between Heathrow and Kiev.
"We are keeping those services under review, but Kiev is several hundred kilometres from the incident site.""We are keeping those services under review, but Kiev is several hundred kilometres from the incident site."
Virgin Atlantic said it was re-routing "a small number of flights".Virgin Atlantic said it was re-routing "a small number of flights".