Polish PM offers condolences after tragic plane crash near D.C.

A fatal midair collision between an American Airlines jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter occurred around 3 a.m. Polish time (Wednesday 9 p.m. Eastern Time) near Reagan National Airport outside Washington, D.C. 

Rescue teams are searching the Potomac River after a commercial airplane reportedly collided with a military helicopter while approaching Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C., on January 29, 2025. Polish PM Tusk expressed condolences.

Photo: PAP/EPA

Both aircraft plunged into the Potomac River. More than 300 personnel are involved in the rescue and recovery operation.

The head of the Polish government offered his "deepest condolences on the loss of so many lives in the Washington plane crash" on Thursday.

"Today we are all with the American people in this tragic moment," he emphasized via social media.

My deepest condolences on the loss of so many lives in the Washington plane crash. Today we are all with the American people in this tragic moment.

— Donald Tusk (@donaldtusk) January 30, 2025

American Airlines plane collides with Sikorsky H-60 helicopter

An American Airlines plane with 64 people on board collided with a Sikorsky H-60 military helicopter carrying a three-person crew while approaching Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and crashed into the Potomac River.

The fate of the passengers remains uncertain, as no survivors have been recovered from the water so far. CBS News reports at least 19 fatalities, though officials have yet to confirm this information.

EarthCam video captures the moment a Black Hawk helicopter collided with a regional jet carrying 64 people on its descent into Ronald Reagan National Airport just outside Washington, D.C. on Wednesday night, causing it to crash into the Potomac River below. A rescue operation is… pic.twitter.com/94w1UAFZpW

— CBS News (@CBSNews) January 30, 2025

Figure skating champions among victims of D.C. plane crash

According to new reports, the plane carried figure skaters, their coaches, and family members. Among them were reportedly the 1994 world champions from Russia, married pair Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, RIA Novosti stated, citing its sources.

❗️ Kremlin media reports that Russian national pairs figure skating champions Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov were on board the plane that crashed near Washington, DC

Shishkova and Naumov won the world pairs figure skating title in 1994. In 1998, they ended their athletic… pic.twitter.com/cFg92gb3g4

— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) January 30, 2025

Source: CNBC/X/@donaldtusk/@nexta_tv/@CBSNews

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