A major water rescue operation was initiated after the mishap occurred.

The victims included Agustín Escobar, a Siemens executive, and his family, according to a law enforcement official who was quoted by CNN

According to reports, the family arrived in New York City from Spain.

The exact cause of the crash is still not known.

The moment of the crash was caught on camera, and now the video has gone viral across social media platforms.

New York Mayor says crash will be investigated

New York Mayor Eric Adams confirmed that six people, including three children, died in the crash.

"We can sadly confirm there were six deaths in the Hudson River helicopter crash — three adults and three children," he wrote on X.

"The crash is under investigation, and our teams will assist with all efforts to understand what happened," he said.

According to local media reports, police from both New York and New Jersey and fire department officials rushed to the scene immediately after the mishap.

The  New York City Fire Department said it first received calls about the helicopter crash at around 3:15  pm (local time) on Thursday afternoon.

The department wrote on X: "Around 3:15 Thursday afternoon,  the FDNY received calls for a helicopter crash in the Hudson River. FDNY Marine Units quickly responded to waters off Pier 40 in Lower Manhattan. FDNY divers were immediately deployed into the river to begin rescue operations. Tragically, six people were pronounced dead."

Speaking about the incident, FDNY commissioner Robert Tucker said: "We have FDNY assets right up the road here, and we launched our boats immediately. This operation was a joint operation between the FDNY and the NYPD. Our rescue swimmers were in the water shortly after the call and recovered some of the victims. We worked very closely with the NYPD divers on this and I think this tragic day does indicate just how the spirit of cooperation between the NYPD and the FDNY is alive on the streets and in the water."

Donald Trump says footage of crash was 'horrendous'

Writing on Truth Social, US President Donald Trump said: "Terrible helicopter crash in the Hudson River. Looks like six people, the pilot, two adults, and three children, are no longer with us. The footage of the accident is horrendous."

"God bless the families and friends of the victims. Secretary of Transportation, Sean Duffy, and his talented staff are on it. Announcements as to exactly what took place, and how, will be made shortly!" he said.

Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez feels 'devastated'

Reacting to the tragedy that left five Spanish nationals dead, PM Pedro Sanchez wrote on X: "The news reaching us today of the helicopter crash in the Hudson River is devastating."

"Five Spaniards from the same family, three of them children, and the pilot have lost their lives. An unimaginable tragedy," he said.

New Jersey Mayor describes crash as 'terrible'

Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop wrote on X: "Terrible situation with crash of a tourist helicopter in the Hudson. Family from Spain. All 6 passengers now confirmed as deceased. Jersey City continues to be the lead on investigation till we pass to NTSB. The two juveniles were taken to the JCMC and both pronounced a short time ago"

The US has seen several plane crashes and near-misses in recent times.

The incident happened months after a helicopter collided in Washington DC with a Bombardier aircraft operated by an American Airlines subsidiary, which was approaching for landing at Reagan National Airport, leaving 67 people dead.