One Dutch person confirmed in Germanwings crash: Minister, Mayor

By Zack Newmark on March 24, 2015 - 19:33
Iris Claassen
Iris Classen, believed to be onboard Germanwings flight 4U9525, which crashed in France (photo: Facebook). (Iris Classen, believed to be onboard Germanwings flight 4U9525, which crashed in France (photo: Facebook))

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on Tuesday that at least one Dutch victim was flying on Germanwings flight 4U9525 which . The plane departed from Barcelona Tuesday morning and was headed towards Dusseldorf.

The Dutch passenger was identified as 20-year-old student Iris Claassen from Deurne, Noord Brabant, said the town's mayor, Hilko Mak, in a statement. He said she checked in for the flight, and her family was notified at the Dusseldorf Airport.

"Meanwhile, I have spoken with the family and expressed my condolences to them," Mak said. "Of course I am also offering my help and support."

Classen works at the Hema in Deurne, where a few dozen people gathered for a meeting Tuesday night, reported Omroep Brabant. The broadcaster said she was in Barcelona on a study break.

There were 144 passengers and six crew members on the plane when it flew into the mountains near Prads-Haute-Bléone. More of those on the flight could be from the Netherlands or could have dual nationality, with Germanwings stressing patience as the victims' families are notified.

Tags: