Figure skaters in the United States and Russia were aboard the American Airlines flight, which crashed Wednesday night into the Potomac River in Washington, D. C. , after colliding with an Army helicopter.

U.S. Figure Skating, the organization that serves as the sport’s national governing body, confirmed the plane’s passengers included several of its members, who had attended a prestigious training camp for novice and intermediate skaters in Wichita, Kansas, where the flight took off.

“These athletes, coaches and family circle members returned home from the national progression camp organized in collaboration with the American Craft Skating Championships in Wichita, Kansas,” American Skating said in a statement. “We are devastated through this unspeakable tragedy and we hold the families of the victims in our hearts. We will continue to monitor the scenario and release more data as it becomes available. “

In a press convention on Thursday, the mayor of Wichita, Lily Wu, said that “it was an honor” for her city to organize the artistic skating championship for the first time.  

“We were so excited to have the opportunity to host the national championship,” Wu told reporters. “Even yesterday, I had folks tell me how wonderful these last few days have been with additional individuals who came into our community either to watch or to participate.”

Wichita officials are waiting for more information on the crash, including details from U.S. Figure Skating, Wu said. Alex Schauffler, a representative for U.S. Figure Skating, told CBS News the organization could not share additional details early Wednesday.

None of the American skaters, their coaches or family members have been officially identified, but the Skating Club of Boston said two young skaters, their mothers and two coaches were among the passengers, CBS News Boston reported. In a statement, Doug Zeghibe, the skating club’s CEO and executive director, identified club members on the plane as Jinna Han, Jin Han, Spencer Lane, Christine Lane, Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova.

Shishkova and Naumov are Russian-born figure skaters and former world champions who coached at the Skating Club of Boston, the club said. They were on the plane along with other Russian citizens, the country’s state-run news agency TASS reported, citing an unnamed source and government official.

“Bad news arrived from Washington today. We feel sorry and express our condolences to the families and friends who lost [their loved ones] and Russian nationals among those killed in the aviation tragedy,” said Russian Presidential Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov at a news briefing, according to TASS.

American Eagle Flight No. 5342, a passenger plane operated through PSA Airlines and owned by American, collided in midair with a Black Hawk helicopter near its planned touchdown site at Reagan National Airport, which allowed it to crash into the Potomac River below. The plane with 60 passengers and 4 crew members, and 3 infantry bachelors were in the helicopter, authorities said. Based in very belvoir in Virginia, the helicopter on an educational flight when it arrived on the plane.

At least 28 bodies had been discovered in the river by 8 a. m. On Thursday, D. C. Fire and EMS leader John Donlly told reporters. Donelly added, “We don’t think there are any survivors. “

An investigation into the collision is ongoing. A source of application of the law familiar with the investigation told CBS News that it was aimed at “why the helicopter flew in that place and to the altitude at that time. “