China offers condolences over midair crash in US

Beijing has expressed "deep grief and condolences" over the recent collision of passenger and military planes over Washington DC, in which two Chinese nationals lost their lives, the Foreign Ministry said on Friday.

On Wednesday night local time, a US regional jet and a US military helicopter collided midair over the Ronald Reagan National Airport near Washington DC and fell into a river.

According to officials, no survivors have been found.

"China expresses deep grief and condolences over the lives lost. Our thoughts are with the families of the victims," a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said in a statement on Friday.

The ministry and China's embassy in the US launched the emergency response mechanism immediately after the incident, according to the statement.

"Unfortunately, two Chinese nationals have lost their lives according to preliminary verification of the victims," the spokesperson said.

China has asked the US 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," the spokesperson said.