The Chinese government has expressed condolences over lives lost in the mid-air collision between the U.S. regional jet and U.S. military helicopter at the Ronald Reagan National Airport near Washington D.C.

The incident occurred on January 29, 2025, when both planes crashed into a river after colliding, and no survivor was found.

Guo Jiakun, China’s foreign ministry spokesperson, said this on Thursday at the regular virtual news conference organised by the ministry in Beijing, China.

Mr Guo said, “China expresses deep grief and condolences over the lives lost. Our thoughts are with the families of the victims.

“The foreign ministry and China’s embassy in the U.S. launched the emergency response mechanism immediately after the incident. Unfortunately, two Chinese nationals lost their lives during the crash, according to preliminary verification of the victims.”

He added, “China has asked the U.S. to provide timely updates on the search and rescue efforts, identify the cause of the accident as soon as possible and handle the ensuing matters properly.

“We will provide necessary assistance to the families of the Chinese victims as they deal with the incident.”

(NAN)