Memory day in Haltern: ten years after the Germanwings crash

Memory day in Haltern: ten years after the Germanwings crash

On March 24, 2025, the tragic crash of the Germanwings flight 9525, in which 150 people lost their lives. This incident occurred in the French Alps ten years ago and remains in the memory of many people, especially the members of the victims who come together on this anniversary.

The commemorative celebrations take place in different places, with Le Vernet, the crash location in France, plays a central role. Lufthansa only organizes a private commemoration for the closest survivors. Among them are members of the victims from Germany, Spain and other nations that gather to mourn together. [domradio.de] reports that Ulrich Wessel, the then headmaster of the Joseph-König-Gymnasium, also travels to Le Vernet with a group of parents.

commemoration in Haltern am See

in Haltern am See, Germany, the largest memorial events take place. A school group of 16 pupils and two teachers was on board the Airbus, who had an accident in the mountains, on the way from Barcelona to Düsseldorf. Mayor Andreas Stegemann emphasizes the permanent importance of the crash for the city. At 10.41 a.m., the time of the accident, all church bells ring in Haltern. In addition, a silent commemoration is held in the schoolyard of the Joseph-König-Gymnasium, accompanied by short speeches and prayers of the Catholic and Evangelical Church.

A memorial is being built at the school yard itself that is reminiscent of the group. The school minister Dorothee Feller expresses the immeasurable pain that the school community still feels. In order to commemorate the deceased, white roses are laid down at the Joseph-König-Gymnasium.

memorial service and funeral celebrations

In the evening, a memorial service is planned in the St. Sixtus Church, which is open to the Haltern mourning community. The idea of ​​the accident floats about all of this when the investigators found that the mentally ill capilot deliberately brought about the crash. [antennemuenster.de] reports that the topic of psychological stress among flight personnel is also addressed in the conversations. Stress and emotional exhaustion are often associated with the profession, which can lead to serious health problems in the long term.

Overall, March 24th not only remains a day of commemoration, but also a reminder of how important the psychological health of people in professions with high stress is. The shards of misfortune are constantly reminiscent of the fact that a precise examination of mental illnesses and their effects on the quality of life is essential.