TALLINN, Jan. 30 (Xinhua) -- The International Skating Union (ISU) has expressed its shock at an airplane crash that occurred in the United States on Wednesday evening, with several prominent figure skaters and coaches having been on board the jet.

As of 7 a.m. local time, over 30 bodies had been recovered from the Potomac River near Washington D.C. following the collision of an American Airlines passenger jet and an army Blackhawk helicopter near Reagan National Airport on Wednesday, local media reported.

American Airlines said in a statement that 60 passengers and four crew members had been on board. Three soldiers were on board the Blackhawk, CNN reported, citing a U.S. defense official.

Local media reported that among those traveling on the American Airlines flight from Wichita, Kansas to Washington, D.C. were American figure skaters returning from the US Figure Skating Championships held in Kansas from January 20 to 26. Also among them were Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova, 1994 world champions in pairs skating.

"The International Skating Union (ISU) and the global skating community are deeply shocked by the tragic accident involving an American Airlines flight in Washington, D.C. last night. We are heartbroken to learn that figure skaters, along with their families, friends and coaches, are understood to be among those on board," the ISU said in the statement.

"Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this tragedy. Figure skating is more than a sport - it's a close-knit family - and we stand together. We remain in close contact with U.S. Figure Skating and offer our full support during this incredibly difficult time," it added.

The programs of the European Figure Skating Championships in Tallinn, Estonia will start with a minute of silence on Thursday. Enditem

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