Mourning and commemoration

The ceremony at Cologne Cathedral for the victims of the Germanwings crash ended just like it began, with the cathedral's bells ringing out across the city on this sunny Friday afternoon, and a choir singing.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Joachim Gauck joined more than 500 bereaved relatives of the victims of the disaster in the cathedral. They were among the first German politicians to react to the news of the tragedy on March 24 that claimed 150 lives.

The Germanwings crash was an "unbelievable horror" for the families of those killed, compounded by the apparent senselessness of the co-pilot's actions in bringing down the plane, German President Joachim Gauck told victims' relatives and dignitaries.

Some 1,500 guests, including about 500 relatives of the victims, flocked to the memorial service in Cologne Cathedral. Flags were ordered flown at half-staff around the country as part of the commemoration.

Police were on high alert, as not only the German chancellor and president were at the ceremony, but Spain's Interior Minister Jorge Fernandez Diaz and French Transport Minister Alain Vidalies also came to Cologne for the ecumenical service, along with the heads of Lufthansa and its Germanwings subsidiary.

French cabinet minister Alain Vidalies told the congregation that his participation in this memorial service at Cologne Cathedral "bears witness to European solidarity that reaches across borders."

The steps to the altar were covered with 150 candles lit in memory of each of those who died - including co-pilot Andreas Lubitz, who investigators believe deliberately crashed the plane. "It's not for us to judge," said Archbishop Woelki about the decision to include a candle for Lubitz.

The service at northern Europe's largest Gothic church was also broadcast live on screens outside the cathedral and to viewers nationwide. "You are not alone in these hours of loneliness," the Archbishop of Cologne, Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki, told those assembled.

Lufthansa, Germanwings' parent airline, placed a full-page notice of condolence in Germany's national newspapers on Friday: "We mourn our passengers and colleagues who lost their lives in the Germanwings plane disaster near Seyne-les-Alpes. We will never forget them."