18 bodies recovered from river in Washington DC

Police officials have told the BBC's US partner CBS News that 18 bodies have been recovered after a jet collided with a helicopter mid air and crashed into the Potomac River in Washington DC. 

No survivors have been found so far, BBC reports. 

There has not yet been an official update from authorities on the number of casualties, but a news briefing is expected soon. 

An American Airlines flight has collided in mid-air with a helicopter in Washington DC, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) says.

The jet was carrying 60 passengers and four crew members. It happened while on approach to Runway 33 at Reagan Washington National Airport around 9pm local time, the FAA says in a statement to CBS News.

The plane crashed in the Potomac River, which weaves through DC, according to the DC Fire and EMS Department. US authorities are investigating.

AFP said Reagan National Airport was reportedly closed runways due to an ongoing emergency.

"MPD is responding to an apparent air crash in the Potomac River. Multiple agencies are responding," Washington's Metropolitan Police Department posted on X, while the DC Fire and emergency response services said fireboats were responding to "small aircraft down in Potomac River" in the vicinity of the airport.

A US Army official confirmed to the BBC's US news partner CBS that an Army Black Hawk helicopter was involved in the incident.

DC Police have issued a statement saying multiple calls were received at 20:53 EST (01:53GMT) abut an aircraft crash above the Potomac River. Police say there is no confirmed information about causalties at this time. Multiple agencies are coordinating search and rescue operations in the Potomar River.