Germanwings flight 4U9525 crashes in French Alps - live updates

[malaise]

http://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2015/mar/24/germanwings-airbus-a320-crashes-in-french-alps-live-updates
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The plane was on its flight path for just under half of its route distance and at cruising speed.

The transport minister has comfirmed that a distress call was made by the aircraft at 10.47am local time, while the plane was “at 5,000 feet and in an abnormal situation”. The crash happened shortly afterwards.

The French newspaper Le Point is reporting that the Digne police were contacted just after 11am by air authorities.

Captain Benoît Zeisser told BFM TV that the location of the crash was “very difficult to access”, with areas of snow in the crash zone measuring between 500m and 2,000m. “We are in the process of doing everything possible to arrive at the location,” he said, adding that it was a question of minutes.
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The French President suggested that there are no survivors from the 142 passengers and sox crew.
The Guardian should send CNN the formula on how to report crashes while waiting for facts.

[morningfog]

1. 500 to 2,000 meters of snow? Is that depth?

That would be a couple thousand feet of snow.

Such a sad loss for all the families.

[malaise]

3. Don't know about the snow but I

heard on BBC that the crash was in the mountains 6,000+ft up.
Yep - horrific loss - this is Lufthansa's low budget airline.

[Quantess]

6. That doesn't sound right...

Maybe they meant the elevation? Or the area?

[cwydro]

2. Newest is that there were 150

on board.

[TheCowsCameHome]

4. I wish there were "live" updates

Not likely in that terrain.

[malaise]

5. We never know

Maybe the aircraft broke up and a part of it landed in a tree. It would be wonderful if people survived. It's early days but reports suggest it was at 5,000ft when it sent out the distress call.