Diplomat Foreign Desk
Washington DC :DD, A devastating mid-air collision between an American Airlines jet carrying 64 people and a US military helicopter has resulted in a crash into the Potomac River outside Washington DC. The incident occurred around 21:00 local time (02:00 GMT) on Wednesday as the airliner, arriving from Wichita, Kansas, approached Ronald Reagan National Airport.
While authorities have yet to officially confirm the number of casualties, CBS News, citing police sources, reports 18 bodies recovered with no survivors found thus far. Three US Army soldiers were aboard the Black Hawk helicopter from Fort Belvoir, Virginia. Witnesses described seeing sparks and flames before the jet split in half upon impact with the water. Rescue efforts are hampered by cold temperatures, wind, darkness, and floating debris, including ice.
Washington DC Mayor Muriel Bowser confirmed the passenger count on both aircraft, while the city’s emergency chief, John Donnelly, highlighted the challenging conditions faced by rescuers. Takeoffs and landings at Reagan National Airport have been suspended, with flights diverted to Dulles International.
The Washington DC metro system will operate extended hours to assist passengers. Federal aviation authorities and the US Congress have initiated investigations into the crash. The American Airlines CEO has announced that both a company team and he himself will be travelling to the scene.DD