WASHINGTON, March 24  -- U.S. President Barack Obama and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Tuesday offered condolences" and "deep sympathies" over the crash of a German budget airliner over the French Alps, with Obama pledging "whatever assistance" needed in the investigation.

Obama said at a joint press conference with Ghani at the White House that he had called German Chancellor Angela Merkel and hoped to speak to Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy later to express his condolences and offer "whatever assistance that we can" to help in the investigation into the "awful tragedy."

The ill-fated Germanwings passenger jet A320 was on its way from Barcelona, Spain to the German city of Dusseldorf when it crashed in southern France early Tuesday. French President Francois Hollande said of the 144 passengers and 6 crew members on board, there might be no survivors.

"It's particularly heart-breaking because it apparently includes the loss of so many children, some of them infants," Obama said, adding "Germany and Spain are among our strongest allies in the world, and our message to them is that as their steadfast friend and ally, America stands with them at this moment of sorrow."

Ghani also expressed his "deep sympathies," noting both Germany and Spain joined the NATO-led coalition forces in Afghanistan.

"They have made major commitments, and they've sacrificed in Afghanistan," he said.

The White House said earlier in the day that no signs had emerged about terrorism linked to the crash.