White House: No sign terrorism led to crash

There are no signs a German plane crash in France was the result of terrorism, the White House said Tuesday.

{mosads}“U.S. officials have been in touch with French, German, and Spanish authorities and have offered assistance,” National Security Council spokeswoman Bernadette Meehan said in a statement. “There is no indication of a nexus to terrorism at this time.”

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families and loved ones,” Meehan added.

President Obama received a briefing on the crash from Lisa Monaco, his homeland security and counterterrorism adviser.

The president said he had phoned German Chancellor Angela Merkel to express his condolences and hoped to speak soon with Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy.

“It’s particularly heartbreaking because it apparently includes the loss of so many children,” Obama said of the crash. 

An Airbus 320 operated by the German discount airline Germanwings crashed Tuesday morning in the French Alps, killing all 144 passengers and six crew members on board, according to reports. Sixteen children reportedly died in the crash

The flight took off in Barcelona and was en route to Dusseldorf.

This story was updated at 2:44 p.m.