Washington Plane and Helicopter Collision: 67 Bodies Recovered, Investigation Ongoing to Identify Victims

Washington Plane and Helicopter Collision: 67 Bodies Recovered, Investigation Ongoing to Identify Victims

Washington: Following the collision of a passenger plane and a U.S. Army helicopter near the Potomac River in Washington, which resulted in the deaths of 67 people, recovery teams have successfully retrieved all the bodies, officials reported on Tuesday.

So far, the identity of only one victim remains unknown, while all other bodies have been identified. Recovery teams stated that the completion of the search for the remains marks a "significant step" toward providing closure to the families of those who perished in the tragic accident.

Officials said, "Our hearts go out to the families of the victims, as they navigate this tragic loss," adding, "We express our deepest condolences and remain committed to supporting them through this difficult time."

Recovery efforts for the wreckage of the Bombardier CRJ-700, operated by American Eagle Airlines, continue in the cold waters of the Potomac River. So far, crews have recovered parts of the right wing, a central section of the fuselage, the left wing, tail cone, and rudder.

The recovery of the helicopter will begin once the plane's wreckage has been fully recovered.

In Wednesday's accident, 60 passengers, 4 crew members, and 3 U.S. Army soldiers lost their lives, with no survivors. The plane was en route from Wichita, Kansas, to Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington when the collision occurred.

President Donald Trump quickly blamed diversity hiring policies for the accident, despite no evidence linking them to the incident. Trump also stated that the helicopter, which was on a routine training mission, appeared to be flying too high.

Additionally, U.S. media reports suggest that the control tower was understaffed at the time of the accident.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is expected to prepare a preliminary report within 30 days, although a full investigation could take up to a year.