Sisi extends condolences to Trump over victims of Washington plane crash

CAIRO – 30 January 2025: President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi extended condolences to US President Donald Trump on Thursday in the wake of a tragic collision of two aircraft in Washington.

"I extend my heartfelt condolences to my friend President Donald Trump and the American people for the victims of the two plane crashes in Washington,” Sisi said in a social media post.

“Our hearts are with the families of the victims during this painful tragedy. We ask Allah to grant them patience and solace,” the president added.

A tragic collision took place late on Wednesday between an American Airlines regional passenger jet, with 64 individuals on board, and a US Army Black Hawk helicopter.

Everyone aboard the American Airlines aircraft is feared dead.

The aircraft crashed into the waters of the Potomac River near Reagan Washington National Airport.

American Airlines confirmed that the jet was carrying 60 passengers and four crew members.

Law enforcement helicopters from various agencies patrolled the scene, meticulously scanning for any signs of those who may have been lost.

The helicopter, which was on a training mission, had three soldiers aboard, according to a US official. More than two dozen bodies have been recovered.

Furthermore, a dive team successfully retrieved one of the two data recorders, commonly known as black boxes, from the aircraft.

The Pentagon has announced it will initiate an investigation into the incident.

In the wake of the incident, all takeoffs and landings at the airport were suspended, allowing dive teams to conduct a thorough search of the area.

Trump expressed his condolences, stating he had been “fully briefed on this terrible accident.” He offered prayers for the passengers, saying, “May God bless their souls.”

Trump, however, said that the crash “could have been prevented.”

“The airplane was on a perfect and routine line of approach to the airport. The helicopter was going straight at the airplane for an extended period of time. It is a CLEAR NIGHT, the lights on the plane were blazing, why didn't the helicopter go up or down, or turn,” Trump said on his Truth Social platform.

“Why didn't the control tower tell the helicopter what to do instead of asking if they saw the plane. This is a bad situation that looks like it should have been prevented. NOT GOOD!!!,” the US president added.

Authorities have yet to determine the cause of the collision, and investigations are underway to uncover the circumstances surrounding this devastating event.