
Related videos:
An airplane accident that occurred on Wednesday night in Washington D.C. has resulted in a tragic toll of 28 deaths, while the Fire Department confirmed that there are no survivors.
The accident involved a military Black Hawk helicopter and a commercial plane from the regional airline American Eagle, which crashed into the waters of the Potomac River.
On board the plane were 60 passengers and four crew members. The helicopter had three people on it; therefore, the number of victims could be as high as 67.
John Donnelly, head of the fire and emergency services in Washington, confirmed this Thursday that there are no survivors and that at least 28 bodies have been recovered from the river.
"At this moment, we do not believe there are any survivors. We have recovered 27 people from the plane and one from the helicopter," Donnelly stated during a press conference.
Rescue teams, who worked overnight in the frigid waters of the tributary, have managed to recover the bodies of the victims, and the rescue efforts have been converted into a body recovery operation.
American Eagle flight 5342, which had departed from Wichita, Kansas, was approaching Ronald Reagan Washington Airport when it collided with a Black Hawk helicopter at 8:48 PM local time (01:48 GMT).
Among the travelers were athletes and skating coaches, including former world champions in figure skating Yevgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov.
The U.S. Secretary of Transportation, Sean Duffy, confirmed that the wreckage of both aircraft has been located, and explained that the American Eagle plane was on a standard approach to the airport when the collision occurred.
According to Duffy, the airplane fuselage was found in three different sections in shallow waters.
Despite favorable weather conditions at the time of the accident, with clear skies and no strong winds, the rescue efforts were complicated by the water temperature, which was only four degrees Celsius, and the presence of ice floes in some areas of the river.
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, which had been closed following the accident, will resume operations at 11:00 local time (16:00 GMT) today.
The authorities, along with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), continue to investigate the causes of this devastating incident, which, if confirmed as the most severe in the U.S. in nearly 24 years, has left the nation in mourning.
This Thursday, President Donald Trump began a press conference with a moment of silence for the victims of the tragedy.
Frequently asked questions about the airplane accident in Washington D.C.
How many people died in the Potomac River plane crash?
In the plane crash in the Potomac River, 28 people lost their lives. The accident involved a military Black Hawk helicopter and a commercial aircraft from the regional airline American Eagle, resulting in 28 bodies recovered from the river so far.
What aircraft were involved in the plane crash in Washington?
The airplane accident in Washington involved a military Black Hawk helicopter and a commercial aircraft from the regional airline American Eagle. Both aircraft collided in the waters of the Potomac River.
What were the weather conditions during the accident on the Potomac River?
Despite the fact that the weather conditions were favorable at the time of the accident, with clear skies and no strong winds, the rescue efforts were complicated by the low water temperature and the presence of ice patches in some areas of the Potomac River.
What impact did the plane crash have at Ronald Reagan Airport?
The Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport was closed after the accident, but it will resume operations at 11:00 local time (16:00 GMT) the following day. This action was taken to assist with rescue efforts and body recovery in the Potomac River.
Filed under: