Tragedy strikes Washington: 67 confirmed dead in air collision
As reported by American media, authorities have recovered the bodies of all 67 victims from the Potomac River in Washington, less than a week after an American Airlines plane collided with a military helicopter. The identities of 66 individuals have been confirmed, concluding the search operation.
The search and rescue operations have now officially ended. According to information from police and investigators, 66 of the 67 people who died in the plane crash in Washington have been identified.
On Tuesday evening it was reported that the bodies of all victims were recovered from the river.
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is still working to identify the final victim.
Tragedy in Washington
A passenger plane collided mid-air with a Sikorsky H-60 Black Hawk helicopter while approaching the runway. Both aircraft subsequently fell into the river.
As a result of the collision, 64 airplane passengers and three soldiers on board the helicopter were killed.
An investigation into the disaster is underway to clarify all circumstances. The crew of the crashed Black Hawk helicopter was experienced and was performing an annual night flying test, reported new Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth. He announced that the initiated investigation would determine if the helicopter was on the correct flight path.
According to media and aviation experts, systemic neglect over many years could have led to the aviation disaster in Washington. They primarily point to fatigue among air traffic controllers and the increase in the number of flights.
