Condolences are pouring in for the victims of the Germanwings plane crash which occurred on Tuesday morning. The plane had been en route to Dusseldorf from Barcelona with 144 passengers and six crew on board when it crashed over the French Alps at around 10am local time.
The cause of the crash is not yet known, but French President Francois Hollande said that he did not expect there to be any survivors.
"It's a loss, a tragedy which has happened on our soil," he said. "I am seeking information about homes in the area it came down. It's a difficult place to access. In the meantime solidarity must prevail."
King Felipe of Spain and his wife Queen Letizia were beginning a state visit to France when the news was announced, and appeared downcast as they joined the French President on the steps outside Elysee Palace following a brief meeting.
The royal couple announced that they would be cancelling their visit after the tragedy, which is believed to have claimed the lives of 45 Spanish passengers. King Felipe also sent condolences on behalf of himself and his wife to the families of the victims, as well as thanking President Hollande for his immediate reaction to the disaster.
Meanwhile Prime Minister David Cameron took to Twitter to show his support, writing: "Today's plane crash in the Alps is heartbreaking news. The UK will do everything it can to support the French emergency services."
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said his thoughts were with the friends and family of the victims.
"My heart goes out to the family and friends of those people who appear to have lost their lives in this devastating air crash in the Alps. It really must be the most traumatic time for all of them and my thoughts are with them right now."
Addressing the tragedy, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said: "My thoughts are with those who lost loved-ones, many Germans among them."
She continued to say that the crash had plunged Germany, France and Spain into "deep mourning" and revealed that all three countries would work together to establish what caused it.
"I will travel there tomorrow to get my own impression and speak with local officials," she added.
Airline Germanwings is currently investigating the cause of the crash after it was revealed that there was no distress call made from the flight when it began to lose altitude.