According to the reports on Thursday (30 January), a tragic mid-air collision between an American Airlines regional jet and a Black Hawk military helicopter near Reagan National Airport has resulted in the recovery of over 30 bodies. The crash involved American Airlines Flight 5342, carrying 60 passengers and four crew members, and a Sikorsky H-60 Black Hawk helicopter with three soldiers on board. No survivors have been found so far, and investigations are underway to determine the cause of the accident and whether any airspace regulations were violated. The crash occurred around 9 p.m. (local time) on Wednesday (29 January), leading to a temporary suspension of all flights at the airport.
Emergency response teams, including the Metropolitan Police Department and the District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services, were deployed immediately to the crash site. Boats continue to scan the Potomac River for any possible survivors, while aviation authorities and the airline are monitoring the situation closely. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has taken charge of the investigation, and the Pentagon, along with the Army, has also launched its own inquiry into the military helicopter’s involvement in the collision. Officials are in contact with the families of those on board to provide updates and support.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth expressed his deep sorrow over the tragedy, calling it “absolutely tragic” and offering prayers for the victims and their families. President Donald Trump also issued a statement acknowledging the incident, stating that he had been fully briefed and was closely monitoring developments. He praised the first responders for their swift action and promised to provide further details as more information became available. Meanwhile, Kansas Senator Jerry Moran confirmed that the passenger jet had originated from Wichita and urged people to pray for those affected.
The Kremlin confirmed that Russian citizens, including a well-known champion skater couple, were among those on board the crashed plane. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov conveyed condolences to the families of the Russian victims and acknowledged the “sad reports” about their loss. As the investigation continues, authorities are focused on gathering evidence from the crash site and determining the factors that led to the fatal collision over the Potomac River.
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