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By Burnett Munthali

A tragic aviation accident has occurred in the United States after a passenger plane carrying 64 people collided mid-air with a military helicopter, causing the aircraft to crash into a river. The incident happened around 9:00 PM near Washington, according to reports from the BBC.

Emergency rescue teams responded swiftly to the crash site, working through the night to search for survivors and recover bodies. Local police confirmed that 19 bodies have been retrieved so far, while efforts continue to locate any remaining victims. Authorities have not yet disclosed the number of survivors or the condition of those rescued.

According to CNN, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed his condolences to the victims’ families and stated that preliminary findings suggest the accident could have been avoided. The President emphasized the need for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the collision and promised that aviation safety protocols would be reviewed to prevent such tragedies in the future.

The cause of the mid-air collision remains unclear, but aviation authorities and military officials have launched an inquiry into the incident. Investigators will analyze flight data, air traffic communications, and witness statements to determine what led to the crash.

The accident has sparked concerns over air safety regulations, particularly regarding civilian and military aircraft operating within the same airspace. Aviation experts have raised questions about whether proper safety measures were in place to prevent such an event.

As the search and rescue operation continues, families of the victims are anxiously awaiting updates, while the nation mourns those who lost their lives in the devastating accident.