A tragic incident unfolded above Washington, D.C. on Wednesday night, marking the deadliest U.S. plane crash in over two decades. At approximately 9 p.m. ET, a helicopter collided with an airplane, resulting in a catastrophic crash that claimed the lives of all 64 passengers on board the airplane and three soldiers in the helicopter. The aftermath has shifted the focus from rescue to recovery, as authorities continue to search the Potomac River where both aircraft landed.
The collision occurred as the airplane was preparing to land at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The scene of devastation has drawn hundreds of first responders who are now engaged in a thorough recovery operation. As of now, recovery teams have retrieved at least 28 bodies from the river, with hopes of finding more victims as efforts continue.
In response to the crash, former President Donald Trump took to social media platform Truth Social to express his condolences while also making controversial claims about the potential causes of the collision. Trump suggested that measures related to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) could have played a role in the tragic event. He stated, "This is a bad situation that looks like it should have been prevented. NOT GOOD!!!"
Trump further elaborated on his perspective during a press conference. He criticized current aviation protocols, asserting that communication systems need improvement. "Tell the helicopter what to do instead of asking if they saw the plane," Trump commented, highlighting his belief that better operational standards could have prevented the disaster.
While Trump’s comments have garnered attention, he did not provide any evidence linking DEI measures to the crash. His remarks sparked a heated exchange with reporters; when asked if he was jumping to conclusions before the investigation had concluded, Trump dismissed the question and maintained his stance.
The incident has raised numerous questions about aviation safety protocols and emergency response systems. Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are expected to begin their inquiries into the sequence of events leading up to the crash, including an examination of air traffic control communications and pilot decisions.
As the recovery efforts progress, families of the victims are left grappling with the devastating loss. The response has been overwhelming, with community members offering support to those affected by this tragedy. The local authorities have set up assistance centers for families looking for information about their loved ones.
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