Islamuddin Sajid and Ahmad Adil
31 January 2025•Update: 31 January 2025
ISLAMABAD/NEW DELHI
Asian leaders on Friday expressed solidarity and extended condolences over Wednesday's mid-air collision near the US capital, Washington, D.C.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said he is deeply saddened by the tragic accident involving a passenger plane and a military helicopter near Washington.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with @realDonaldTrump and the American people at this difficult time. Our hearts go out to the families of those who have lost their loved ones and pray for the safety of the survivors," he said on X.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was “deeply saddened’ by the loss of lives in the air crash.
“Our heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims,” Modi wrote on X on Friday. “We stand in solidarity with the people of the United States.”
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim also expressed deep sorrow over the accident.
"In this time of sorrow, I hope their families find strength and solace as they navigate this immense grief. The people of Malaysia are thinking of them," he said.
Australian Premier Anthony Albanese in his statement said that Australians are thinking of all those affected by the terrible air crash at Reagan Airport in Washington and the tragic loss of life.
"Our hearts go out to their families and loved ones," he said.
Separately, China said two of its citizens were among the victims of the mid-air collision between the passenger plane and helicopter.
Expressing its "deep condolences to all the victims and ... heartfelt sympathy to their families," the Chinese Embassy in Washington asked the US to verify the details of the incident and formally inform Beijing, and to provide the victims' families assistance in handling the aftermath.
On Wednesday evening, an American Airlines passenger plane and a US Army Black Hawk helicopter collided in mid-air near the airport.
The aircraft, carrying 60 passengers and four crew members, was en route from Kansas. The helicopter, which was on a training flight, had three military personnel on board.
Both aircraft crashed into the Potomac River.
US President Donald Trump confirmed Thursday that no one survived the crash as authorities continue to investigate the cause.
