AirAsia QZ8501 crash: Indonesian student from Monash University on board

INDONESIAN student Kevin Alexander Soetjipto is reported to have been a passenger on board the doomed Air Asia flight QZ 8501 which crashed. Monash University is offering counselling and support to friends and classmates. Darren Boon reports. 

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UPDATE AS OF 2/1/2015: According to a News Limited report, the remains of Mr Soetjipto has been handed over to his family members. 

UPDATE AS OF 1/1/2015: According to a Channel NewsAsia report, the body of Mr Soetjipto has been identified by a wallet found on his body.

Monash University wrote on its Facebook page on January 1: “Monash University has received advice that a valued member of our student community, Kevin Alexander Soetjipto has passed away following the Air Asia plane tragedy.”

“On this day, that would have been Kevin’s 21st birthday, we express our deepest condolences to his family and friends.”

There has been an outpouring of messages expressing grief for Mr Soetjipto’s passing and hoping his soul would be at peace on Monash University’s announcement.

Monash University commerce student Kevin Alexander Soetjipto was reportedly identified as one of the 162 souls on board the Indonesia AirAsia flight QZ 8501 which reportedly crashed en route from Surabaya to Singapore in the Java Sea on December 28.

According to a News Limited report, Mr Soetjipto, who is from Malang, Indonesia, had attended a foundation course at Trinity College at the University of Melbourne, and graduated in 2013. He was pursuing a commerce course at Monash University and was due to graduate in 2015.

Mr Soetjipto was on board the ill-fated flight with his relatives, the report said.

A Monash University spokesperson said, “We are deeply saddened to learn this news in relation to one of our valued student community.”

“We will be offering counselling support to Kevin’s friends and fellow classmates.

“We offer our sincere thoughts and prayers to all of the families of those onboard the flight.”

Monash University International Students Services (MUISS) posted on their Facebook page, “MUISS would like to express our sincere condolences to Kevin and his family and friends. We hope that they’re given more strength to go through this tough time.”

A special prayer session for the safety of Mr Soetjipto as well as for the people onboard Air Asia flight QZ 8501 was scheduled to be held at 72 Queens Road, Melbourne in the evening of December 31, the post added.

Latest reports have indicated that debris and bodies have been found in the ocean off Indonesia. It is still unknown whether Mr Soetjipto’s remains have been recovered as yet.

If you have been directly affected by this unfortunate news or know someone who may have been, Monash University is offering counselling and support services.

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