An "American Airlines" plane collided with a military Black Hawk helicopter over the Potomac River near "Ronald Reagan" airport in downtown Washington, Reuters reported, citing officials. The plane fell into the river, BTA reported.
At least 18 bodies have been pulled from the Potomac by rescue teams so far, Reuters explained. Washington police said that multiple agencies were involved in the rescue operations in the river, which borders the airport. "American Airlines" confirmed that there were 64 people on board the passenger plane, of which four were crew members, DPA added.
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that a passenger plane operating domestic routes collided in mid-air with a military helicopter during an approach to land at the airport. The collision occurred at around 9:00 p.m. local time last night (4:00 a.m. today Bulgarian time).
An official representative of the US military confirmed that one of its helicopters was involved in the crash. There were three military personnel on board the helicopter, the authorities specified. According to the FAA, flight 5342 of "American Airlines" took off from the city of Wichita in Kansas to "Ronald Reagan" airport in Washington. According to the airline's website, the plane can carry up to 65 passengers.
Late last night, the management of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport announced that all flights to and from the airport were suspended while emergency crews responded to an incident involving a plane. US President Donald Trump said he had been informed of a "terrible incident".
The plane crash in downtown Washington, where a passenger plane collided with a military helicopter over the Potomac River, "should have been prevented," US President Donald Trump said, quoted by Reuters. The tragedy occurred near Ronald Reagan National Airport, where the plane was heading for a landing.
At the moment, 18 bodies have been pulled from the Potomac River, where the plane fell. There were 64 people on board the American Airlines plane that collided with a Black Hawk helicopter. "I have been informed in detail about the terrible incident that occurred near National Airport", Trump said in a statement. "May God rest their souls", he said of the deceased.
The president thanked the emergency services for the "incredible dedication" of the first responders who responded to the scene of the tragedy. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that an investigation into the incident had been launched immediately. There were three service members on board the helicopter.
BREAKING: Footage of air collision over Washington DC pic.twitter.com/GIqRAaPaC3
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