An American Airlines regional passenger aircraft and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter collided midair and subsequently crashed into the Potomac River near Reagan Washington National Airport on Wednesday evening, according to officials.

The Washington Post reported, citing sources, that several bodies have been recovered from the river, with no survivors identified thus far. Senator Ted Cruz from Texas mentioned on social media that “we know there are fatalities,” although he did not specify the number.

American Airlines confirmed that the jet was carrying 64 individuals, comprising 60 passengers and four crew members. A U.S. official stated that three soldiers were on board the helicopter.

At Reagan Washington National Airport, friends and family of the passengers gathered in search of information. One woman expressed her uncertainty about a passenger’s status, saying to an airport official, “I don’t know if she got on there or not,” before breaking down in tears.

The U.S. Army released a statement confirming that the aircraft involved in the incident was a UH-60 helicopter from Fort Belvoir, Virginia. They are collaborating with local authorities and will provide further updates as they become available.

There has not been a fatal accident involving a U.S. passenger airplane since February 2009, but a number of near-miss incidents in recent years have raised significant safety concerns.

A web camera positioned at the Kennedy Center in Washington captured footage of an explosion in mid-air over the Potomac around 9:47 p.m. (0247 GMT), showing an aircraft engulfed in flames descending rapidly. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration reported that a PSA Airlines CRJ700 regional jet collided with the helicopter while approaching Reagan. PSA was operating Flight 5342 for American Airlines, which had taken off from Wichita, Kansas, according to the FAA.

Authorities reported that a coordinated search and rescue operation was underway in the Potomac River, adjacent to the airport. Numerous police, ambulance, and rescue teams, some equipped with boats, were positioned along the river and quickly moved to the tarmac at Reagan Airport. Live television coverage captured several boats in the water, their blue and red lights flashing.

The airport announced late Wednesday that all flight operations had been suspended as emergency responders addressed an incident involving an aircraft.

U.S. President Donald Trump issued a statement indicating he had been “fully briefed on the terrible accident which just took place at Reagan National Airport.” He expressed his condolences, stating, “May God bless their souls,” and thanked first responders for their remarkable efforts. He assured the public that he was closely monitoring the situation and would share updates as they became available.

The National Transportation Safety Board confirmed it was in the process of collecting further details regarding the incident.

American Airlines acknowledged on social media that it was “aware of reports that American Eagle flight 5342, operated by PSA, with service from Wichita, Kansas (ICT) to Washington Reagan National Airport (DCA) has been involved in an incident.” The airline committed to providing additional information as it was received.

In recent years, a number of near-miss incidents have heightened concerns regarding aviation safety in the U.S. and the pressures faced by understaffed air traffic control operations. FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker resigned on January 20, and the Trump administration has yet to appoint a successor or disclose who is currently overseeing the agency on an interim basis.

The last significant fatal crash involving a commercial airliner in the U.S. occurred in 2009, resulting in the deaths of all 49 individuals on board a Colgan Air flight in New York state, along with one additional fatality on the ground.