SCHOOLCHILDREN from a town twinned with Rochford died in the Germanwings plane crash which has left several nations in mourning.

The tragedy, which saw the flight from Barcelona to Dusseldorf crash in the French Alps left 150 people dead.

Among those who perished were 16 exchange students and two teachers from Joseph Konig School, in Haltern, Germany.

Haltern was twinned with Rochford from 1984 to 2009, with schools and residents taking part in exchange trips and opening their doors to the visitors from the German town.

Flags at civic buildings across the district have been lowered to half mast as a mark of respect.

Vic Leach, chairman of the Rochford Twinning Association, said: “It really is a tragedy in every sense. We only visited Haltern six months ago.

“When I heard the news I thought about sitting in the town square and seeing kids go past on their bikes and skateboards.

“Like Rochford, Haltern is a small community and it is clear this will have a huge impact on the town. I’ve spoken to friends and all they could say was they were in shock.

“Joseph Konig is a large English-speaking school and we have friends with children and grandchildren there and we have not heard if they were involved.

“The twinning was very successful and even though it ended a few years ago, the connections remain and many of us still regularly go over there.

“It was just horrible when I heard the news, you can’t help but think if any of the children we saw were on the plane.

“It is horrific and as a parent you cannot imagine what they must be going through.”

A book of condolence may be set up in the district, with a decision to be made on its location.

Residents can also send their condolences to www.haltern-amsee.

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Pupils from Sweyne Park School in Rayleigh used to enjoy exchange trips during the twinning.

Headteacher Andy Hodgkinson said: “The school used to have a fairly close link with the Joseph-König- Gymnasium school as part of the twinning process and, going back in time, did visit the area with pupils and even had pupils go there on work experience.

“Our link has gradually faded over the years, but our thoughts are with the whole school community at this terrible time and we will be writing to express our deepest condolences.”