International Desk : At least 18 bodies have been recovered from the Potomac River after an American Airlines regional jet collided mid-air with an Army helicopter in Washington of USA.

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A police official at the scene confirmed the recovery of the bodies.

Following the crash, all flights were grounded Wednesday night at the airpor, located just outside Washington, DC. An airport announcement confirmed that it would not reopen before 5:00 am Thursday. Passengers with grounded flights have been advised to rebook.

The Army confirmed that the Sikorsky H-60 Black Hawk helicopter involved in the crash was based out of Fort Belvoir, Virginia. The helicopter was on a training flight at the time of the accident, according to Heather Chairez, spokesperson for the Joint Task Force-National Capital Region. Chairez also confirmed that the chopper belonged to the B Company, 12th Aviation Battalion.

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A Defense Department official said that three soldiers were aboard the helicopter, with no senior officials on board.

American Airlines CEO Robert Isom expressed his condolences in a video statement, saying, "First and most importantly, I'd like to express our deep sorrow about these events."

Sun News/MR