Germanwings crash: Relatives of British victims speak out

At least three Britons were among the 150 people on the Airbus 320

Martyn Matthews (second left), pictured with his family, was among the victims

Relatives of several Britons who were on board the Germanwings flight which crashed in the French Alps have spoken of their devastation.

At least three Britons were among the 150 people on the Airbus 320 which plunged into the mountains near the French town of Digne on Tuesday, Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond has confirmed.

They include Julian Pracz-Bandres, who was seven months old. He was travelling with his mother, Marina Bandres Lopez-Belio.

Her husband Pawel Pracz said: “We have been living in Manchester for seven years. Marina was an editor and colourist, and we were both working in post-production for film and video.”

His wife, a Spanish national, had travelled to Spain to attend the funeral of her uncle, Jose Luis Lopez-Bello, who died on Saturday.

Marina Bandres Lopez-Belio

“She bought the tickets at the last moment, and decided to return to Manchester quickly as she wanted to return to her daily routine as soon as possible,” said Mr Pracz.

He is being supported by relatives in Manchester and Spain and said: “We are devastated and would like to request that we be allowed to grieve in peace as a family without intrusion at this difficult time.”

Another of the victims was Paul Andrew Bramley, a 28-year-old student from Hull who was studying hospitality and hotel management at Ceasar Ritz College, Lucerne, Switzerland.

He was on his way to Britain after a holiday with friends in Barcelona, and was due to begin an internship next week.

His mother Carol, who lives in Majorca, Spain, had flown to Britain to meet up with him. “Paul was a kind, caring and loving son. He was the best son, he was my world,” she said.

Paul Andrew Bramley, 28, originally from Hull, was a passenger on the Airbus flight which crashed in the French Alps

The statement, issued by the Foreign Office, added: “Paul’s father Philip Bramley who lives in Hull has also said that they are both deeply shocked and will miss him.”

Martyn Matthews, a 50-year-old father of two from Wolverhampton was also on the flight from Barcelona to Dusseldorf, returning home after a business trip to Spain.

His mother Iris, 82, said: “This has been a terrible shock. I am numb. Martyn was a lovely family man.”

Mr Matthews was a manager for German electronics firm Huf UK, based in Tipton, West Midlands.

“He loved his work and travelled extensively. I don't want to say any more. It's too hard,” said his mother.

Prime Minister David Cameron offered his “deepest condolences” to the families. Speaking in the Commons, he said: “It is heart-breaking to hear about the schoolchildren, the babies, the families whose lives have been brought to an end. The Foreign Office is working urgently to establish whether any further British nationals were among those on board.”

And Mr Hammond said: “We currently believe that three British people have been killed in this tragedy,” but he warned that the death toll could rise further. “We can't rule out the possibility there are further British people involved. The level of information on the flight manifest doesn't allow us to rule out that possibility until we've completed some further checks.”