Alps plane crash DNA found as investigators battle terrain

The co-pilot believed to have deliberately crashed a Germanwings plane was treated for suicidal tendencies "several years ago", before he received his pilot's licence, German prosecutors said Monday.

"In the ensuing years and up until recently, he had doctors' visits and was written off sick but showed no sign of suicidal tendencies or aggression towards others," said Ralf Herrenbrueck, spokesman for the prosecutor's office in the western city of Duesseldorf.

He said in a statement that prosecutors would "not take part in speculation about the deceased co-pilot's motives".

Herrenbrueck said based on the evaluation of medical documents and the testimony of people who knew the co-pilot, Andreas Lubitz, there was still no indication that he had told anyone of his plans or left behind a suicide note.

"Nor have particular circumstances been identified in his personal or professional environment to offer verifiable evidence about a possible motive," he said.

Thomas Lohnes/Getty Images Rescue workers and gendarmerie continue their search operation near the site of the Germanwings plane crash on March 29, 2015 in Seyne les Alpes, France.

Medical files did not point to any "organic disorder", Herrenbrueck said.

But he added that Lubitz underwent psychotherapy several years ago, before he became a pilot in 2013, "for a long period due to diagnosed suicidal tendencies".

Provided by AFP A bulldozer clears a route to allow vehicle access to the crash site of the Germanwings Airbus A320 in Seyne-les-Alpes

However doctors treating him recently found no sign he intended to hurt himself or others, Herrenbrueck said.

Read the original:
Alps plane crash DNA found as investigators battle terrain