Families of Germanwings victims mark one year since crash

Some of the families of the passengers who died on board the Germanwings plane which was deliberately crashed into the Alps, have been marking one year since the tragedy.

About 800 people have attended the commemoration near the site of the crash in Le Vernet.

The solemn occasion started with a private ceremony and also included a minute's silence and wreath laying.

The flight was en route from Barcelona to Duesseldorf when co-pilot Andreas Lubitz, 27, deliberately crashed the plane.

Lubitz locked the pilot out of the cockpit and put the aircraft into an accelerated dive.

France's accident investigating body said in a report released this month that Lubitz's remains bore traces of anti-depressants and a sleeping medication.

He had also been told to seek psychiatric treatment just two weeks before the crash.

Since the crash, parent company Lufthansa has replaced the Germanwings brand with the name Eurowings. Officials from the airline also attended today's commemoration.

Speaking before the ceremony, Le Vernet's mayor Francois Balique, said the people in the area were ready to support the families.