In a devastating update, authorities believe that two babies and 16 schoolchildren were on board the Airbus A320 when it crashed in the Alpes de Hautes province of Southern France.
In the latest figures released, it is believed that 67 Germans and 45 Spanish citizens were among those onboard.
According to French authorities, the plane disappeared at around 10:47am local time, just 46 minutes after take-off, with the plane reportedly losing altitude four minutes after reaching its cruising height.
The cause of the crash has not been released as of yet, but eye witnesses claimed to have seen the plane flying ‘unusually low’ over the mountains.
President Francois Hollande issued a statement this afternoon, saying that no survivors are expected from this tragic accident.
Representatives from the Joseph Koenig school in the German town of Haltern am See have confirmed that 16 of their pupils and two of their staff were booked as passengers on the flight.
This devastating news comes just months after the Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 crash, in which 80 children lost their lives.
What a tragic day. Our hearts go out to all of those affected by this horrific incident.
