At least 30 bodies have been recovered after a devastating mid-air collision between an American Airlines regional jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter on Wednesday evening.
The crash, which occurred over the Potomac River, involved 64 people aboard the commercial aircraft and three crew members in the military helicopter. Authorities fear there are no survivors.
Kansas Senator Roger Marshall confirmed that all 67 people on board both aircraft are presumed dead. Officials stated that none of the helicopter’s crew members were senior Army officials. Recovery efforts continued into Thursday morning.
Following the crash, all flights in and out of Washington, D.C.’s Ronald Reagan National Airport were temporarily halted until 11 a.m. Thursday. Witnesses near the Kennedy Center reported seeing a fireball at the moment of impact.
“I have been fully briefed on the terrible accident which just took place at Reagan National Airport,” said President Donald Trump. “May God bless their souls.”
American Airlines has urged families seeking information about loved ones aboard Flight 5342 to call its toll-free emergency line at 800-679-8215. Those outside the U.S. can find additional contact numbers at news.aa.com. Family members in Canada, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands can call the provided number directly.
Authorities are investigating the cause of the collision as recovery operations continue. (ILKHA)
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