German leader calls plane crash ‘horror’
COLOGNE, Germany – The Germanwings crash last month was an “unbelievable horror” for the families of those killed, compounded by the apparent senselessness of the co-pilot’s actions in bringing down the plane, German President Joachim Gauck told hundreds of victims’ relatives and dignitaries at a memorial service Friday.
Gauck said people across Germany, which lost 72 citizens, are still coming to grips with the March 24 crash. The second-biggest group of victims was from Spain, which lost 51 citizens.
Prosecutors have said co-pilot Andreas Lubitz deliberately crashed the plane into the French Alps on the way from Barcelona to Duesseldorf, killing all 150 aboard. They are still trying to determine why.
“We really don’t know what was going through his head during those deciding seconds, in the deciding minutes,” Gauck told the congregation.
Foreigners targeted in Johannesburg riots
JOHANNESBURG – Several shops and cars owned by foreigners were torched in downtown Johannesburg overnight in continued anti-immigrant attacks, but another city that had seen the worst violence was calm, authorities said Friday.
Police spokesman Col. Jay Naicker said no violence was reported in the coastal city of Durban, where the violence began.
In Johannesburg, about 100 foreigners took refuge in a police station overnight, fearing for their safety, said police spokesman Col. Lungelo Dlamini. Some also stayed in a community center. Police fired tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse looters and at least 18 people were arrestedy, Dlamini said.
In neighboring Zimbabwe, police were involved in minor clashes with dozens of protesters demonstrating at the South African Embassy against the anti-immigrant attacks.
Associated Press
