A massive operation on the Potomac River continued to recover bodies from the crash of American Eagle Flight 5342 as it approached Reagan Washington National Airport Wednesday night, killing 64 passengers and crew and three Army aviators whose Blackhawk helicopter collided with the airliner.

At a mid-day press conference Thursday, President Donald Trump confirmed there were no survivors from the midair collision at 8:47 p.m. The American aircraft, a Bombardier CRJ700, was arriving from Wichita, Kansas, and passengers included figure skaters, family, and coaches following the U.S. Figure Skating Championships that concluded there Sunday.

The Army helicopter crew was part of the 12th Aviation Battalion based at Fort Belvoir, Va., which often flies Army officers and other VIP passengers around the Washington area. The Blackhawk crew was “fairly experienced” and on an annual proficiency training flight, said Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.

The Coast Guard coordinated with other agencies in response to the collision, and the recovery operation is now underway. At midday Thursday, authorities reported that 28 bodies had been recovered.

Coast Guard Sector Maryland - National Capital Region command center watchstanders received a report at approximately 8:55 p.m. reporting the collision. Response boat crews from Coast Guard stations Washington, Curtis Bay, Annapolis, St. Inigoes, Oxford, and Crisfield deployed to conduct searches in coordination with local partners and enforce a safety zone. The cutters Sailfish, Bruckenthal, Kennebec, and Frank Drew got underway to assist.

A safety zone has been established, securing all vessel traffic from the Woodrow Willson Bridge heading north along the Potomac River. The Coast Guard officials said they are working with the Army Corps of Engineers and the Navy’s Supervisor of Salvage and Diving to coordinate removing the wreckage and restoring the waterway.

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