ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday expressed sorrow over a mid-air collision between a passenger jet and a United States (US) military helicopter in Washington DC, wishing for the safety of survivors.

A US passenger jet carrying 64 people crashed into Washington’s Potomac River after colliding midair with a military helicopter during a night training exercise, according to international news agencies.

American Airlines, whose subsidiary PSA Airlines operated the jet, confirmed that 60 passengers and four crew members were aboard the aircraft. The US Army said the Black Hawk helicopter was carrying three soldiers.

In a post on X, Sharif said he was “deeply saddened” by the tragic news of the accident that took place mid-air.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with President Donald Trump and the American people at this difficult time,” he said.” Our hearts go out to the families of those who have lost their loved ones and pray for the safety of the survivors.”

Washington police have yet to confirm any casualties and a massive search operation was underway, with divers using powerful lights to search for survivors and scour the wreckage of both aircraft.

Trump criticized the US air traffic control for the collision.

“Why didn’t the helicopter go up or down, or turn? Why didn’t the control tower tell the helicopter what to do instead of asking if they saw the plane,” he said on his Truth Social platform.

“This is a bad situation that looks like it should have been prevented. NOT GOOD!!!”

There has not been a fatal US passenger airplane accident since February 2009, but a series of near-miss incidents in recent years have raised serious safety concerns.

In 2009, Continental Flight 3407, traveling from New Jersey to Buffalo, New York, crashed, resulting in the deaths of 49 people on board. In January 1982, Air Florida Flight 90, a Boeing 737, crashed shortly after taking off from Washington Airport, killing 78 people.