Berlin:
Two Australians were among the 150 killed in the Germanwings plane crash in the French Alps, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop confirmed today.
A plane operated by Germany’s budget carrier Lufthansa crashed in a remote area of the French Alps yesterday, killing all on board in France’s worst aviation disaster in decades.
“Sadly, I can confirm some heartbreaking news that two Australian citizens, a mother and her adult son from Victoria, were on board this Germanwings flight that crashed in a remote area of the southern Alps in France,” Bishop said in an interview here.
We are seeking to identify whether there are any other Australian citizens, dual nationals or permanent residents who may have been on board, she said.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the two Victorians who were in this shocking tragedy and we certainly extend our condolences to all of the victims of this air crash,” she said.
Bishop described the tragedy as “terrible” and said that Lufthansa was working on the assumption that the plane crash was an accident.
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott also offered his condolences to the families who have lost relatives.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the friends and families of all those killed but particularly with the loved ones of the two Australians who have lost their lives,” Abbott said.
“Our consular officials are doing what they can for the families,” he said.
