The Netherlands was shocked today by a devastating plane crash that claimed the lives of at least 164 passengers. The disaster, which occurred around 10:42 a.m. near Lelystad Airport, is already being described as one of the deadliest aviation incidents in Dutch history.

What makes the tragedy even more shocking is the rumor that Formula 1 driver Max Verstappen and his girlfriend were originally on the passenger list. Fans around the world immediately began praying and hoping, fearing that their national hero and world champion might be involved in the tragic accident.

The panic on social media was immediate. Within minutes of the first reports, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and TikTok were flooded with hashtags such as #PrayForMax, #FlightCrashNL and #MaxVerstappen. Thousands of fans shared messages of disbelief, sadness and concern.

Yet, there was some relief shortly afterward: Max Verstappen was not on board the plane. According to an official statement from his management, Verstappen canceled his flight at the last minute due to a change in his training schedule. His girlfriend, whose name was not officially released, was also safe, according to the same source.

“Max and his partner are deeply shocked by the news,” read a short statement from his PR team. “Our thoughts are with the victims and their families. We ask the media to respect their privacy during this difficult time.”

The plane, a commercial airline operated by a regional airline, was en route from the Netherlands to a popular tourist destination in Southern Europe. Witnesses reported that the aircraft made unusual noises shortly after takeoff, then suddenly lost altitude and crashed in an open field. Emergency services arrived quickly but were unable to do much to save lives.

Prime Minister Mark Rutte called it a “terrible tragedy” and announced a national day of mourning. King Willem-Alexander expressed his deepest condolences through the Royal House, expressing his deepest condolences for this unimaginable loss.

Several children are reportedly among the victims. Emergency services and psychologists have been deployed to support relatives and witnesses. The cause of the crash is currently being investigated by the Dutch Safety Board.

Although the fear surrounding Max Verstappen thankfully proved unfounded, the incident has left a deep impression, not only on the Formula 1 community, but throughout the country and far beyond.

Today we mourn and cherish those who, by a twist of fate, were spared.