Malaysia Airlines MH17: Canberra passenger was on board shot-down flight (ABC)

View Comments ABC Mother of two Liliane Derden was among the victims of the MH17 plane crash.

A Canberra mother of two was among the passengers on Malaysia Airlines passenger jet MH17 that was shot down over Ukraine.

Flight MH17 was en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur when it was shot down by a surface-to-air missile in rebel-held territory near Ukraine's border with Russia.

Liliane Derden, 50, from Hall in Canberra's north, has been indentified as being on board.

Ms Derden's employer, the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), issued a statement.

"The CEO and staff of the NHMRC are deeply saddened by the loss of our valued colleague and friend," the statement read.

"Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this difficult time."

Acting Chief Minister Andrew Barr said it was devastating news a Canberra resident was on the flight.

"There appears to be very bad news that an ACT resident was one of the 28 Australians who were part of this Malaysian Airlines tragedy," he said earlier.

"It's devastating news for the family and friends of that ACT resident and indeed our sympathies go to not only to the families here in the ACT who are impacted, but across Australia and indeed around the world.

"It's a great tragedy and it's certainly hitting home here locally."

Mr Barr said he received the information that a Canberran was on board just before he went on stage at a reception to present NBA star Patrick Mills with the keys to the city.

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