Declaration by President of the Government regarding accident involving plane en-route from Barcelona to Dusseldorf

Vitoria

Good day.

I regret this situation, I regret the delay and I apologise that you have had to be kept waiting.

You are aware that a very serious plane accident has taken place in France. This was an aircraft belonging to a subsidiary of the company Lufthansa which took off from Barcelona en-route to Dusseldorf. I cannot give you any details because all the information I have is preliminary, and hence we cannot say things that later turn out not to be true. But I can say that this is very dramatic and sad news with the loss of many human lives.

I have had to suspend my agenda. I would ask you to forgive me. I will head to Madrid now. I have given instructions to the Vice-President of the Government to set up a crisis cabinet and the Minister for Public Works is shortly on her way to Marseille and will then travel on to the accident site.

I have had the opportunity to hold a conversation with the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel. We have exchanged opinions on this very sad and unfortunate accident. I have also spoken with the King who, as you are aware, is in France; and also with the President of the Regional Government of Catalonia, Mr Mas, and with the Leader of the Opposition, Pedro Sánchez.

That is all I can say at this time. In truth, the only thing I can and should say is that I deeply regret, as we all do, this very sad and dramatic accident, and we are going to do everything that is in our hands to help the families and provide all our fullest support and attention.

Ladies and gentlemen, I hope that you appreciate that I cannot say anything other than that which I have just told you.

Thank you very much.