What we know so far

At least 30 people have been confirmed dead after the collision of the middle air between the passenger liters and the US Army helicopter near Washington, CBS News reports. The collision forced the aircraft, transporting 64 passengers and crew, crashed into the Potatok River.

Among those who were on board were figurines from the United States, and Russia confirmed that some of its citizens were also involved.

Search and rescue groups work over the night in freezing conditions to restore victims. Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport temporarily closed when the authorities are investigating the incident.

What happened?

Around 9:00 pm local time (02:00 GMT) on Wednesday, PSA Airlines Reactive Service, working as American Airlines 5342, collided with US Army Sikorsky H-60 ​​helicopter as it approached Ronalda Washington National Airport Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

The aircraft, Bombardier Crj700, broke into a few pieces before plunge in a few feet into the river, and the helicopter ended upwards in the water.

The plane departed from the Growing, Kansas, transported 60 passengers and four crew members. The helicopter, which conducted a training flight from Fort -Belwar, Virginia, transported three US soldiers, was confirmed by the Mayor of Washington Muriel Boser.

The clip, published on the Internet, allegedly fixes a warning about the control of air traffic on the helicopter, although the audio remains unverified. FAA, along with the National Transport Security Council (NTSB), investigates the cause of the collision.

How many people were used?

Law enforcement officers stated that at least 30 bodies were removed from the scene, although the authorities did not confirm the number because their efforts remain focused on the current rescue operation.

The United States has confirmed that several members of his community, including athletes, coaches and family members returning from the Kansas camp, were on board the aircraft.

In addition, the Kremlin confirmed that Russian citizens, including skate skates and former world champions, Yevgeny Shishkov and Vadim Naumov were on board.

About 300 first reactants operating on rubber boats in difficult conditions were deployed to find survivors. The Washington Assistance to Donnelli’s Warness and Research called the situation as dangerous, referring to the wind, the ICE and difficult access to the place.

What do eyewitnesses say?

Ari Schulman, an eyewitness, said NBC Washington that he saw a plane crash while driving in George Washington Park.

He reported that the approach of the aircraft was normal until it sharply made the right, with “spark flows”, which illuminates the stomach. “It looked very, very wrong,” Shulman said, describing sparks as “giant Roman candles.”

Another witness, Jimmy Maino, remembered that he saw that it looks like a “white flash” in the sky, dinner in the park near the airport.

He noted that the planes seemed to fly in “irregular models” in front of the accident, but did not think much about it until emergency services were received.

What do US officials say?

President Donald Trump made a statement that made his grief due to a “terrible accident” and said he was watching the situation closely.

“May God bless their souls,” he said, thanking the first reacting for their efforts. Trump also expressed anxiety about preventing the incident, writing about the truths, “this is a bad situation that looks like it should be prevented.”

JD Vance Vice President and other officials, including Defense Minister Pete Hegset and Transport Minister Sean Daffy, also expressed their condolences and promised to control the situation. Duffy confirmed that there would be an inspection of the flights near the airport.

The CEO of American Airlines Robert Ioma shared his “deep grief” in a video posted on the web site of the airline, the mood that resonates US senator Rage Marshall, whose home of Kansas was a point of origin of the aircraft.

What is the US air record?

The incidents of this value are rare in the United States. The last comparable accident occurred in 2009, when the aircraft crashed on the approach to Buffalo, New -York, died on board all 49 people and one person in the ground.

The airspace above Washington is both tense and strongly controlled, processing a large amount of domestic and international flights, as well as additional military and presidential movement.

Although civilian airliners must adhere to fixed flight plans, military pilots are obliged to “see” other aircraft, providing them with some latitude to deviate from air traffic management instructions.