President Donald Trump has issued a statement on the midair collision between a civilian airliner and a military helicopter that took place outside Reagan Washington International airport outside of the nation’s capital on Wednesday night.

“I been fully briefed on the terrible accident which just took place at Reagan National Airport. May God Bless their souls,” President Trump announced in a statement. “Thank you for the incredible work being done by our first responders. I am monitoring the situation and will provide more details as they arise.”

Vice President J.D. Vance called for prayers for the victims and first responders in a statement of his own. “Please say a prayer for everyone involved in the mid-air collision near Reagan airport this evening. We’re monitoring the situation, but for now let’s hope for the best,” the vice president posted on X.

The Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) has confirmed that an American Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet collided in midair with a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter while on approach to Runway 33 at Reagan Washington National Airport. One or both of the aircraft plunged into the Potomac River, where rescue crews are scrambling to locate any survivors. The American Airlines aircraft was traveling from Wichita, Kansas and was getting ready to land.

Aircraft control recordings from the moment of the crash indicate that air traffic controllers asked one of the aircraft, presumed to be the helicopter, whether they could see the jet. The jet then appeared to be diverting to a different runway, at which point the helicopter was told to pass behind the airliner.

American Airlines has confirmed that 60 passengers and four crew members were on the CRJ700 at the time of the crash. American Airlines Flight 5342 was approaching the Washington, D.C., area airport when it collided with the helicopter shortly after 9 p.m. local time. The flight, operated by PSA Airlines, was en route from Wichita, Kansas at the time of the crash.

An Army official told NBC News that preliminary reports suggest there were three U.S. soldiers onboard the helicopter. “We can confirm that the aircraft involved in tonight’s incident was an Army UH-60 helicopter out of Fort Belvoir, Virginia,” the U.S. Army said in a statement. “We are working with local officials and will provide additional information once it becomes available.”

Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), who served as a Black Hawk helicopter pilot prior to entering politics, told NBC News that the aircraft is not equipped with an alert system like a commercial airliner would be. Windows above, below and to both sides of the crew give Black Hawk pilots “superior visibility” that could have helped them see an incoming threat, she added.

“So you can actually have pretty good visibility. So it is quite surprising that you can have this happening,” Duckworth told MSNBC, adding that it is too early to speculate as to the cause of the collision at this time. “This airspace is very, very, very busy, and we’re praying … that there are more survivors,” she said.

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed that Coast Guard assets are heading to the area to assist rescue crews. “We are deploying every available US Coast Guard resource for search and rescue efforts in this horrific incident at DCA. We are actively monitoring the situation & stand ready to support local responders,” Noem posted on X.  “Praying for the victims and first responders.”

A local NBC outlet reported that at least “four people” had been pulled from the water shortly after 10 p.m. Eastern Time, though it is unknown whether the victims were alive. Radio transmissions from the first rescue boats on scene indicated that there were “no viable survivors” in the water.

Reagan Washington National Airport is closed until at least 5 a.m., according to the FAA website. A press conference is expected to take place shortly, while a command post has been set up for body recovery and care for potential survivors.

This is a developing story.

[H/T Trending Politics]