Deadly mid-air collision near DC: Guyana mourns with US after tragic crash – Pres Ali

The heartbreaking tragedy of an aircraft collision that claimed the lives of dozens in America has sparked global concern.
In response, President Dr Irfaan Ali has expressed his deepest sympathies to those affected by the accident.

“On behalf of the Government and people of Guyana, I express our deepest sympathies to President Donald Trump, the Government, and the citizens of the United States in the wake of this horrific accident.”
According to the Head of State, this tragedy surpasses the pain felt by the victims’ families, emphasising that Guyana stands in solidarity with them during this difficult time.
“This is a national tragedy that extends far beyond the pain and grief felt by the families of the victims. The impact of this tragedy touches every corner of the American nation. At this time of heart-wrenching loss, Guyana stands in solidarity with the American people. We share in your pain and join you in mourning the victims. We offer our support and condolences to all who are grieving. Our hearts and prayers are with the families of the victims.”
A BBC report has stated that about 21:00h local time (02:00 GMT) on Wednesday, a PSA Airlines jet operating as American Airlines 5342 collided with a US Army helicopter as it approached Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The passenger plane broke into multiple pieces and sunk several feet into the Potomac River, while the helicopter ended up upside down on the water.
The passengers plane, a Bombardier CRJ700, had departed from Wichita, Kansas, and was carrying 60 passengers and four crew, American Airlines said.
According to updates from officials, the helicopter was a Sikorsky H-60 that took off from Fort Belvoir in Virginia with three soldiers on board, and belonged to B Company, 12th Aviation Battalion.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said the helicopter was on an annual proficiency flight, performing a night evaluation, and the crew had night-vision goggles.
The Defence Secretary said names and ranks were being withheld until their next-of-kin had been informed.
Recordings of air traffic control conversations published online suggested that a controller tried to warn the helicopter about the American Airlines plane in the seconds before the collision.
The helicopter pilot appears to respond to confirm they are aware of the plane, but moments later the two aircraft crashed.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy told reporters on Thursday: “I would say the helicopter was aware there was a plane in the area.”
The FAA said it would investigate the incident, together with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
Hegseth said he expected this should quickly establish whether the helicopter was flying in the right corridor and altitude.
DC Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly said in a Thursday morning update that officials “don’t believe there are any survivors from this accident”.
He said teams had recovered 27 bodies from the plane, and one from the helicopter.
A law enforcement source familiar with the investigation earlier told CBS that a higher number of at least 30 bodies had already been found.
US Figure Skating in a statement said “several members of our skating community were sadly aboard” the flight.
It added that this group comprised athletes, coaches and family members who were returning home from a development camp in Kansas.
Russian citizens were also on board, the Kremlin confirmed – after local media reported that ice skating coaches and former world champions Yevgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov were on the plane.
About 300 responders on rubber boats were deployed to search for survivors, Donnelly said.
“The challenge is access, there is wind, pieces of ice [on the water]. It is dangerous and hard to work in,” he said.