Chinese Government Mourns US Passenger Plane and Helicopter Collision... "2 Chinese Nationals Dead"

On the 29th (local time), the Chinese government expressed condolences for the victims of the collision between a passenger plane and a military helicopter near Washington DC, USA.

On the 31st, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs posted a statement on its website under the spokesperson's name, saying, "China expresses deep condolences to the deceased and profound sympathy to the families of the victims."

CCTV reporting that two Chinese nationals died in a collision between a passenger plane and a military helicopter near Washington DC, USA, on the 29th local time. CCTV capture

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The spokesperson explained, "After the incident occurred, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Chinese Embassy in the United States immediately activated an emergency mechanism. Preliminary investigation results confirmed that two Chinese citizens tragically lost their lives," adding, "China has demanded that the United States promptly inform us of the search situation, swiftly determine the cause of the accident, and appropriately handle the follow-up."

The accident occurred around 8:53 PM on the 29th when an American Airlines passenger plane attempting to land at Ronald Reagan Airport near Washington DC collided with an Army helicopter training nearby. The passenger plane, which departed from central Kansas, carried a total of 64 people, including 60 passengers and 4 crew members, while the helicopter had 3 military personnel on board.

U.S. rescue authorities have determined that all 67 people aboard the two aircraft died.

CCTV reporting that two Chinese nationals died in a collision between a passenger plane and a military helicopter near Washington DC, USA, on the 29th local time. CCTV capture

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Meanwhile, according to multiple U.S. media outlets, about 20 current and former figure skaters and coaches were on board the passenger plane, including the Russian couple Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, who were champions of the 1994 World Figure Skating Championships. Korean-American teenage female figure skater Jinna Han and her mother Jin Han were also on board. Additionally, Spencer Lane, a teenage male figure skater adopted from Korea to the United States, was confirmed to be on the accident flight.

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