China Extends Condolences Over U.S. Mid-Air Collision

Beijing, The Gulf Observer: China has expressed deep condolences to the victims and profound sympathy to their families following the mid-air collision of a passenger plane and a military helicopter near Reagan National Airport in the United States on Wednesday night, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson stated on Friday.

In response to the incident, the Chinese Foreign Ministry and the Chinese Embassy in the U.S. immediately activated an emergency response mechanism. Preliminary verifications confirmed that two Chinese nationals were among the casualties.

China has formally requested that the U.S. authorities provide timely updates on the search and rescue operations, determine the cause of the accident as soon as possible, and ensure proper handling of the aftermath, the spokesperson added.

“We will provide necessary assistance to the families of the Chinese victims as they deal with the incident,” the spokesperson stated.

The tragedy involved an American Airlines regional jet carrying 60 passengers and four crew members, and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter with three soldiers on board.

U.S. President Donald Trump, in a press conference on Thursday, confirmed that there were no survivors in the collision.