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 crashed in the French alps. 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.

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