Approximately 300 responders are actively working to locate survivors and recover remains from the Potomac River. The initial alert was triggered at 8:48 p.m., and the first units arrived on the scene at 8:58 p.m. Despite their efforts, responders face significant challenges due to the dark, cold, and windy conditions, as well as the fact that the Potomac River was frozen, complicating the rescue operations.
Reagan National Airport has been temporarily shut down and will remain closed until at least 11 a.m. ET on Thursday. However, operations at Washington Dulles International Airport remain unaffected.
An eyewitness, Abadi Ismail, who had a good view of the area from the Buzzard Point near James Creek Marina, shared his account. He heard a loud and unusual bang while watching television and then saw smoke rising from the south side of the airport. Emergency responders from various departments quickly arrived at the scene, and he took a video around 8:50 p.m. He also noted the added difficulty for the Coast Guard to navigate through the ice on the river to reach the crash site.