Investigations were underway on Thursday (March 26) at two properties linked to the co-pilot of the crashed Germanwings Airbus, believed to have flown the plane into a mountain on purpose.
In Duesseldorf, lights were on and journalists gathered at an apartment believed to be that of 28-year-old Andreas Lubitz, who was in control of the Airbus A320 and set it on its fatal descent.
Prosecutors in the German city said police were searching his home for evidence.
Lubitz’s small hometown, Montabaur, was shaken by news that the young German co-pilot may have deliberately locked himself in the cockpit of Germanwings flight 4U9525 and killed all 150 people on board including himself.
Investigators exited a house — believed to be that of his parents — carrying suitcases. A commemorative candle was seen burning close to the property.
The world’s attention will now focus on the motivations of Lubitz, a German national who joined the budget carrier in September 2013 and had just 630 hours of flying time – compared with the 6,000 hours of the flight captain, named in German media only as “Patrick S.” in accordance with usual practice.
Reuters