PUTRAJAYA (The Star/Asia News Network) - Malaysian rock singer Hattan was shocked to learn that he had a relative on board the downed Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 that crashed near the border of Ukraine-Russia Thursday night.

The 49-year-old, whose real name is Datuk Mohd Shukri Shahabuddin, said that chief stewardess Dora Shahila Kassim was his cousin.

"I learnt about the news last night after my wife was informed by a friend.

"I was shocked…and I am still shocked," said Hattan briefly when approached by reporters at Putrajaya Mariott Hotel on Friday.

Hattan, who appeared distraught, came together with his wife Arianie Mohd Abidin, who was a former air stewardess.

On Thursday night, flight MH17 disappeared from radar screens in eastern Ukraine at at 10.15pm local time after the Boeing 777, bound for Kuala Lumpur, had taken off from Amsterdam's Schiphol airport.

It is believed to have been accidentally shot down by pro-Russian separatists 50km from the Ukraine-Russia border.

The flight was carrying a total of 298 passengers, including 15 crew members on board with no survivors.

It is learnt that the family members are gathered at the Putrajaya Hotel Mariott for councelling and briefing sessions.