Search and rescue operation is becoming more grim, with no survivors recovered so far

According to a law enforcement source, the search and rescue effort for survivors of Wednesday's jet crash is getting increasingly dismal.

The source characterized the photographs from rescuers as "stunning," adding it was difficult to tell what they were seeing. They reported the plane was in multiple pieces.

Two law enforcement sources and a person acquainted with the situation affirm that no survivors have been found at this time.

According to the source, officials are bracing for the deadliest tragedy in DC in decades, dating back to 1982 when an Air Florida flight slammed into the 14th Street Bridge between Arlington, Virginia and Washington, DC.

Early Thursday morning, President Donald Trump described the midair collision between a US Army helicopter and an American Airlines passenger jet as a "bad situation that looks like it should have been prevented."

“The airplane was on a perfect and routine line of approach to the airport. The helicopter was going straight at the airplane for an extended period of time. It is a CLEAR NIGHT, the lights on the plane were blazing, 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,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

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

American Airlines CEO Robert Isom says he will travel to Washington, DC, to investigate the midair jet incident and support staff.

“Members of our Go Team will be on their way to Washington DC and I’ll be heading there shortly as well,” Isom said in a video message.

At a news briefing at Reagan National Airport, DC Fire and EMS Chief John A. Donnelly Sr. stated that around 300 personnel are now engaged in a search-and-rescue effort along the Potomac River.

“At 8:58 (p.m.), the first units arrived on the scene and found an aircraft in the water and began rescue operations. This incident has grown,” he said. An alert was first sounded at 8:48 p.m., he said.

The airline has also established a helpline for relatives and family at 1-800-679-8215.