The two planes collided midair over runway 12 of the airport. Each victim was the sole occupant of their respective aircraft.

The aircraft was operated by Delta’s regional subsidiary, Endeavor Air, and had taken off from Minneapolis, USA.

Hammad, 25, who was waiting for the news of his wife's rescue at Terminal 2 of Reagan National Airport, described his anguish after his messages stopped delivering.

Rescue teams are actively searching the Potomac River, with CNN reporting that debris from both aircraft has been spotted in the water.

In South Korea, a deadly plane crash at Moan International Airport claimed the lives of 179 people.