A devastating mid-air collision between a passenger jet and a US Army helicopter over the Potomac River near Washington DC has claimed the lives of at least 19 people. The crash occurred on Wednesday evening when a PSA Airlines jet, operating as American Airlines 5342, collided with a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter as it approached Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The plane, a Bombardier CRJ700, was carrying 60 passengers and four crew members, while the helicopter had three US soldiers on board.

Rescue teams have recovered 19 bodies from the icy waters so far, with reports suggesting that figure skaters from both the US and Russia were among those on the flight. The collision caused the plane to break apart and sink several feet into the river, while the helicopter was left upside down on the water. Emergency teams have been working around the clock in freezing conditions to search for any additional victims.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are investigating the incident, which has led to the temporary closure of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Authorities are looking into the cause of the collision, and air traffic control communications indicate that a warning was issued to the helicopter, though no response was received.