In the wake of the catastrophic mid-air collision near Washington D.C. that claimed 67 lives, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu of the Maldives conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the United States. On January 31, 2025, he posted on X (formerly Twitter):
Shocked and saddened by the news of tragic air accident in Washington DC.
My deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims.
Our thoughts are with @POTUS Trump and the people of the United States.
— Dr Mohamed Muizzu (@MMuizzu) January 31, 2025
The tragic incident occurred on January 29, 2025, when American Eagle Flight 5342, operated by PSA Airlines, collided mid-air with a U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. All 64 passengers and crew aboard the Bombardier CRJ700 jet, along with the three military personnel on the helicopter, perished in the accident.
Among the victims were members of the U.S. Figure Skating community, including athletes, coaches, and family members returning from a development camp in Wichita, Kansas. The loss has deeply affected the figure skating community, with tributes pouring in for the deceased.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have initiated investigations into the cause of the collision. Both the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder have been recovered and are undergoing analysis.
President Donald Trump addressed the nation, expressing profound sorrow over the tragedy. He referred to the crash as “a dark and excruciating night” and extended condolences to the families of the victims.
International condolences, such as President Muizzu’s message, underscore the global solidarity and shared grief in response to this tragic event. As investigations continue, U.S authorities are committed to uncovering the factors that led to this disaster to prevent future occurrences.
