Engineer Huan Peen Chan, 46, spent four years at Sunderland University in the 1990s, before returning to his native Malaysia. He may have been on board the missing Malaysian Airways flight MH370.
The University of Sunderland has said staff are "deeply concerned" to hear reports that one of its ex-students may have been on board the missing Malaysian Airlines flight MH370.
A deep area of low pressure brings spells of rain and blustery winds.
The figures were revealed as doctors in the North East raised concerns about the impact of easing lockdown measures.
Tees Valley Mayor said the move to lift flight suspensions will see daily Eastern Airways flights to Aberdeen and Belfast reinstated.