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| Plane carrying 150 crashes in France; no survivors expected | Plane carrying 150 crashes in France; no survivors expected |
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| BERLIN — An Airbus plane flying from Barcelona to Düsseldorf crashed Tuesday in southern France in a rugged mountain region, complicating efforts to reach the site even as officials indicated there were no signs of survivors among the 150 people aboard. | BERLIN — An Airbus plane flying from Barcelona to Düsseldorf crashed Tuesday in southern France in a rugged mountain region, complicating efforts to reach the site even as officials indicated there were no signs of survivors among the 150 people aboard. |
| The cause of the crash was not immediately clear, but data from flight trackers suggested the A320 went into a rapid descent before slamming into an area near a French ski resort. | The cause of the crash was not immediately clear, but data from flight trackers suggested the A320 went into a rapid descent before slamming into an area near a French ski resort. |
| “It is going to take days to recover the victims, then the debris,” senior police officer Jean-Paul Bloy told the Reuters news agency. | “It is going to take days to recover the victims, then the debris,” senior police officer Jean-Paul Bloy told the Reuters news agency. |
| French Interior Ministry spokesman Pierre-Henry Brandet told the Associated Press that crash debris from the budget carrier Germanwings was spread across an area at about 6,600 feet altitude. | French Interior Ministry spokesman Pierre-Henry Brandet told the Associated Press that crash debris from the budget carrier Germanwings was spread across an area at about 6,600 feet altitude. |
| Snow and lack of roads hampered efforts to reach the site in the foothills of the Alps, about 65 miles northwest of Nice. | Snow and lack of roads hampered efforts to reach the site in the foothills of the Alps, about 65 miles northwest of Nice. |
| [Read: What we know about the Germanwings crash] | |
| French Prime Minister Manuel Valls said a helicopter landed near the crash site and reported no evidence of survivors. A local politican, Gilbert Sauvan, was quoted by Les Echos newspaper as saying the plane “disintegrated.” | French Prime Minister Manuel Valls said a helicopter landed near the crash site and reported no evidence of survivors. A local politican, Gilbert Sauvan, was quoted by Les Echos newspaper as saying the plane “disintegrated.” |
| “It’s a tragedy on our soil,” said French President François Hollande, who was hosting Spain’s King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia on a state visit. | “It’s a tragedy on our soil,” said French President François Hollande, who was hosting Spain’s King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia on a state visit. |
| Germanwings official Oliver Wagner told German television that the plane carried 144 passengers and six crew members on board. Previous reports cited both higher and lower totals for passengers and crew. | Germanwings official Oliver Wagner told German television that the plane carried 144 passengers and six crew members on board. Previous reports cited both higher and lower totals for passengers and crew. |
| [Read: Just how safe is the Airbus A320?] | |
| Wagner did not give a breakdown of nationalities, but many are believed to be from Germany and Spain. Airline officials said two babies were aboard. | Wagner did not give a breakdown of nationalities, but many are believed to be from Germany and Spain. Airline officials said two babies were aboard. |
| Also among those booked on the flight: 16 high school students and two teachers from a school in Haltern, Germany, said Martina Klaus, a municipal spokesman. But neither an official at the school nor Klaus could confirm whether the group was on the final passenger list. | Also among those booked on the flight: 16 high school students and two teachers from a school in Haltern, Germany, said Martina Klaus, a municipal spokesman. But neither an official at the school nor Klaus could confirm whether the group was on the final passenger list. |
| At a news conference in Cologne, Germanwings officials said there were contradictory reports on whether a distress signal was sent, and investigators were closely studying records of the plane’s nearly eight-minute rapid descent before the crash. | At a news conference in Cologne, Germanwings officials said there were contradictory reports on whether a distress signal was sent, and investigators were closely studying records of the plane’s nearly eight-minute rapid descent before the crash. |
| Germanwings, which is run by Lufthansa, changed its Twitter logo — normally maroon and yellow — to black and white shortly after the crash. | Germanwings, which is run by Lufthansa, changed its Twitter logo — normally maroon and yellow — to black and white shortly after the crash. |
| Hollande said German, Spanish and Turkish nationals were among the victims. | Hollande said German, Spanish and Turkish nationals were among the victims. |
| “The accident happened in a very difficult to access zone,” he said. | “The accident happened in a very difficult to access zone,” he said. |
| [Read: Ten major international airlines disasters in the last 50 years] | |
| Hollande said he had spoken to German Chancellor Angela Merkel, describing her as being “in extreme shock.” | Hollande said he had spoken to German Chancellor Angela Merkel, describing her as being “in extreme shock.” |
| Felipe VI cut his visit to Paris short, and returned to Spain in the wake of the crash. | Felipe VI cut his visit to Paris short, and returned to Spain in the wake of the crash. |
| In a tweeted statement, Lufthansa and Germanwings confirmed that the plane “suffered an accident over the French Alps.” The airline has set up a hotline for families of those on board the flight for “care and assistance.” | In a tweeted statement, Lufthansa and Germanwings confirmed that the plane “suffered an accident over the French Alps.” The airline has set up a hotline for families of those on board the flight for “care and assistance.” |
| “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of the passengers and crew members,” the airline added. | “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of the passengers and crew members,” the airline added. |
| In a brief statement, a somber Merkel said “we are uncertain about the direct cause of the accident and any speculation on the cause is not relevant.” | In a brief statement, a somber Merkel said “we are uncertain about the direct cause of the accident and any speculation on the cause is not relevant.” |
| She added: “Let me tell you please that this is a time and hour of great sorrow and grief. We should be thinking about people who have lost relatives and also friends.” | She added: “Let me tell you please that this is a time and hour of great sorrow and grief. We should be thinking about people who have lost relatives and also friends.” |
| In Düsseldorf, family members were taken to building whose windows were partially covered by sheets to block the view of onlookers. | In Düsseldorf, family members were taken to building whose windows were partially covered by sheets to block the view of onlookers. |
| The single-aisle A320 is one of the world’s most popular aircraft, mostly used for short-haul flights. Airbus said more than 3,600 are in operation around the globe. | The single-aisle A320 is one of the world’s most popular aircraft, mostly used for short-haul flights. Airbus said more than 3,600 are in operation around the globe. |
| In late December, an A320 operated by AirAsia crashed into the Java Sea off Indonesia, killing all 155 people and seven crew members. Investigators believe the Singapore-bound plane stalled during steep climb to avoid harsh weather. | In late December, an A320 operated by AirAsia crashed into the Java Sea off Indonesia, killing all 155 people and seven crew members. Investigators believe the Singapore-bound plane stalled during steep climb to avoid harsh weather. |
| Ohlheiser reported from Washington. | Ohlheiser reported from Washington. |
| Read more: | Read more: |
| Ten major international airlines disasters in the last 50 years | Ten major international airlines disasters in the last 50 years |
| Just how safe is the Airbus A320? | |
| Today's coverage from Post correspondents around the world | Today's coverage from Post correspondents around the world |