ARLINGTON, Va. — An air collision between a military jet and a commercial plane at Ronald Reagan National Airport just outside of Washington, D.C. has left the country in shock and mourning after this recent aviation tragedy.

Numerous police, ambulances, and rescue teams mobilized along the Potomac River, some with boats, positioning themselves on the runway at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Live broadcasts captured various emergency vehicles with their flashing lights in the vicinity.

Just minutes before the incident, Anthony Rosado had arrived at the airport on an American Airlines flight from Florida. He noticed the emergency lights on the tarmac but didn’t think much of it at first.

Upon discovering that his connecting flight to Buffalo, New York, was canceled, Rosado assumed it was due to bad weather.

Rosado, 24, realized the seriousness of the situation only after entering the terminal, where he called his wife and learned about the crash.

“She said, ‘That could have been you,'” he recalled. “It’s all very surreal. I’m just really thankful that it wasn’t me. My thoughts are with those affected and their families.”

Rosado was one of the few passengers stranded at the airport early Thursday, with some trying to catch sleep while others waited to rearrange their travel plans. He attempted to leave the airport but found it difficult to find an Uber due to the heavy police presence making it hard to navigate public transport.

He had hoped the airline would cover his hotel stay before his 10 a.m. flight, but now he plans to stay at the airport for the night.

“It could be worse,” he stated.

‘I feel deep sorrow for them’

Brisdini Rodriguez, 23, visited the river to witness the unfolding situation, calling it a “heartbreaking event.”

“This heartbreaking event symbolizes more than just a plane crash and those souls who are left without support,” Rodriguez shared with Reuters. “I believe this is yet another moment for our nation to unite and seek divine mercy.”

“I feel a strong empathy for the families involved and I am praying for those affected. My heart is incredibly heavy for them,” Rodriguez expressed.

‘That hit hard’

Arlington local Habihor Rabby responded to the news of the crash by gathering with friends to watch the rescue operations.

Rabby, 26, first attempted to reach Hains Point but found it blocked off by police; he then moved on to the marina at Daingerfield Island where numerous emergency vehicles filled the area early Thursday with their flashing lights.

Although Rabby often travels from Washington, D.C. to Kentucky, he noted that the incident hasn’t raised his anxiety about flying. While officials have yet to confirm any fatalities or injuries, the crash has undeniably impacted the emotional state of the local community.

“That hit hard,” he acknowledged. “It’s really tragic.”

Contributing: Reuters

(This story has been updated to include additional details.)