A passenger plane carrying 142 people and six crew has crashed in the southern French Alps en route from Spain to Germany.

According to reports, “the Airbus A320 disappeared from radar in the Alpes de Hautes Provence after sending a distress signal at 10.47am local time (9.47am GMT). Debris from the jet, operated by Lufthansa’s Germanwings budget airline, has been found scattered over a wide area near Barcelonnette.”

According to French president Francois Hollande, he did not expect there to be any survivors. He said: It’s a loss, a tragedy which has happened on our soil. I am seeking information about homes in the area it came down. It’s difficult place to access. In the meantime solidarity must prevail.’

Though the cause of the crash is not known yet,  Mr Hollande has stated he would be meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and the King of Spain, visiting Paris for three days.

A spokesman for the DGAC aviation authority has said the plane crashed near the town of Barcelonnette about 100 km (65 miles) north of the French Riviera city of Nice.

May their soul rest in peace…