The SHOT Telegram channel also cited a comment from representatives of the Russian Figure Skating Federation: “These are US citizens, our people [from the Russian Figure Skating Federation] could not have been there, we are not commenting.”
About 300 rescuers are working at the scene, D.C. Fire Chief John Donnelly said during a press conference. He noted that conditions for rescue work remain extremely difficult due to bad weather. Richard Bonnet, the fire chief of the Washington Airport Authority, said that the rescue operation will take several hours.
Kristi Noem, the US Secretary of Homeland Security, said the department had deployed all US Coast Guard resources to assist in the search and rescue operation. “We are mobilizing all available USCG azerbaijan mobile database resources to assist in the search and rescue efforts during this horrific incident at Reagan Airport. We are actively monitoring the situation and are prepared to support local responders,” she wrote on the banned social media site X .
The reasons for the collision between the plane and the military helicopter have not been disclosed. However, a source in the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) clarified to NBC that there are no signs of a terrorist attack or criminal intent .
What Trump Said About the Disaster
Photo - © RIA Novosti
President Donald Trump commented on the crash: "I have been fully briefed on the horrific incident that just occurred at Reagan National Airport. God bless their souls," the White House chief said in a statement. "Thank you for the incredible work of our emergency services. I am monitoring the situation and will provide more information as it becomes available."
Later, the head of state categorically stated that the collision could have been avoided: “It was a cloudless night, the aircraft’s tail lights were on. Why didn’t the helicopter climb, descend, or turn?” Trump wrote on the Truth Social social network . “Why didn’t the controllers tell the helicopter crew what to do instead of asking if they could see the aircraft? This situation could have been avoided,” the president noted.