Condolences from Europeans after the crash of the A320 near Gap
(B2) After the crash of the A320 of German Wings, which linked Barcelona to Düsseldorf, with 150 passengers on board, this Tuesday morning (March 24), in the Massif des Trois-Évêchés, between Digne les Bains and Gap, several European authorities sent their condolences to the families. This air disaster affects, in fact, in a significant way several European countries. Germany (67 nationals) and Spain (about forty nationals) are particularly affected, as well as France, the country where the crash took place (but of which no national would be on board. Other countries had nationals on board. board: Turks, a Belgian, a Dutch would thus be among the victims, as well as Australians, Japanese, Mexicans.
A minute of silence in the European Parliament
« On behalf of the European Union », it was first the President of the European Council Donald Tusk who expressed sit is " more sincere condolences to families of the victims flight " as sto ' sympathy and its solidarity Asked governments » at all of you countries affected especially to the French President in la German Chancellor and to the first spanish minister » (*).
In front of " this terrible catastrophe (which) affects several nations”, Martin Schulz, the President of the European Parliament announces that " tomorrow (Wednesday 25), at the opening of the plenary session, the European Parliament will observe a minute of silence in memory of the victims”.
A tragedy « that affects each of us directly” adds the President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker. " My heart goes out to the families and friends of the victims. »
Several countries, in particular the Italian minister On the other side of the Atlantic, the US State Department said to itself " ready to offer assistance to affected countries for investigation ».
Mobilization of significant relief resources
Important means of gendarmerie were committed, including a dozen helicopters - the only means of reaching the crash site which is located in an isolated area - and the PGHM (High Mountain Gendarmerie Platoon) from Jausiers, reinforced with elements from the Hautes Alpes and the Alpes-Maritimes. It will be these specialized teams who will be at the forefront to locate the places, recover the black boxes and other evidence, as well as the bodies of the victims.
The SDIS (departmental fire and rescue services) of the Alpes de Haute Provence and the Hautes Alpes dispatched several relief columns to the site, and various vehicles from the Air Force and the Army also been deployed for scouting and support. A Mirage 2000 was thus deployed to locate the wreckage, as detailed by our colleague Air & Cosmos. Then a C135 plane arrived in the area to serve as a radio relay between the various devices on site. Several helicopters were also dispatched to the scene: a Fennec to enforce the overflight ban and a SuperPuma for search and rescue missions as well as several ALAT (army) helicopters to carry out the transport.
(NGV)
(*) Original text in English, translation by B2,
(Update) with details of the nationalities of the victims and details of the relief organization
