One HK resident confirmed onboard crashed MH17

Hong Kong - One Hong Kong resident was confirmed aboard the crashed Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17, the Hong Kong Immigration Department said on Friday.

"After initial verification of the passenger lists of MH17, we found that one Hong Kong resident and his or her relative who held an overseas passport took the same flight were involved in the accident," the department said in a statement.

It said authorities will continue to work with relevant organizations for further information and will offer any possible assistance.

In response to local media reports that the Hong Kong resident, surnamed Fan and aged about 50, was traveling with his Malaysian wife, the department told a Xinhua reporter that they could not confirm the information due to privacy principles.

The Civil Aviation Department also issued a statement on Friday saying that airlines based in Hong Kong do not use flight routes that pass through Ukrainian airspace, and MH17 did not pass through Hong Kong's flight information region.

Hong Kong airline Cathay Pacific confirmed that none of its flights had recently passed through the stretch of airspace over eastern Ukraine where MH17 crashed with 298 passengers and crew onboard.

Cathay said its flights would continue to operate along routes that avoid the airspace.