Tragedy struck in the Washington DC area when a passenger plane carrying 64 people collided with a US Army helicopter in mid-air and crashed into the Potomac River. So far, 19 bodies have been recovered from the river. The plane carried figure skaters from the US and Russia, among others. Rescue teams have been searching the icy waters through the night, while the nearby Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport remains temporarily closed as authorities investigate the cause of the crash.

Around 9:00 PM local time (2:00 AM GMT) on Wednesday, a PSA Airlines flight operating as American Airlines 5342 collided with a U.S. Army helicopter as it neared Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

The passenger plane, a Bombardier CRJ700, broke apart and sank several feet into the Potomac River while the helicopter flipped upside down on the water, reports say. American Airlines confirmed that the flight had departed from Wichita, Kansas, carrying 60 passengers and four crew members.

The Pentagon identified the helicopter as a Sikorsky H-60, which had taken off from Fort Belvoir in Virginia. According to Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, three U.S. soldiers were on board the helicopter. An official confirmed that the helicopter was on a training mission and belonged to B Company, 12th Aviation Battalion, stationed at Fort Belvoir.

A video circulating online, which CNN reviewed, appears to capture the air traffic control communication moments before the crash. In the footage, a controller is heard warning the helicopter about the plane, but the helicopter crew reportedly did not respond. However, the BBC has not verified this audio's authenticity.

The FAA has announced that it will investigate the incident in collaboration with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

According to a law enforcement source, at least 19 bodies have been pulled from the Potomac River, but officials haven't confirmed this yet. For now, their main priority is continuing the rescue efforts. US Figure Skating issued a statement expressing sorrow, affirming that "several members of our skating community were sadly aboard" the flight. This group included athletes, coaches, and their families returning from a Kansas development camp.

The Kremlin also confirmed that Russian citizens were on board, with reports indicating that ice skating coaches and former world champions Yevgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov were among the passengers.

Washington DC Fire and Emergency Services Chief John Donnelly reported that around 300 responders, using rubber boats, are searching for survivors. However, he noted that the operation is complex due to factors like strong winds and ice pieces in the water, making the conditions both dangerous and challenging for the rescuers.

President Donald Trump expressed his sorrow over the "terrible accident" and confirmed that he had been fully briefed on the situation. He assured that he was closely monitoring the developments. In his statement, Trump said, "May God Bless their souls," and thanked the first responders for their dedicated efforts.

On his TruthSocial account, Trump questioned how such an incident could have occurred, writing, "This is a bad situation that looks like it should have been prevented. NOT GOOD!!!"

Vice President JD Vance also extended his thoughts and prayers to those involved in the accident.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy recently confirmed their positions and stated they were keeping an eye on the situation. When asked if there would be changes to the flight paths near Ronald Reagan Airport, Duffy responded, "we will take appropriate action if necessary," and added that a review of the incident would be conducted.

American Airlines CEO Robert Isom also shared his condolences for the tragic collision in a video posted on the airline's website, expressing his "deep sorrow."