(VOVworld) - A somber memorial service was held on Friday in the western German city of Cologne to pay tribute to the 150 people killed in last month's Germanwings plane crash.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Joachim Gauck joined more than 500 bereaved relatives of the victims of the disaster in the cathedral. Many residents of Haltern town, home town of 16 pupils and two teachers of Joseph-Koeing high school killed in the plane crash also attended the ceremony.

President Joachim Gauck said that the Germanwings plane crash is one the worst tragedies of Germany and the great losses of victims’ families. The President praised the spirit of unity between Germany, Spain and other countries in helping each other to overcome the great pain of this tragedy. In his address to the congregation, President Gauck offered his thanks to the French people for leading the rescue operation at the crash site in southern France.