A tragic helicopter crash on Thursday afternoon claimed the lives of six individuals after the aircraft plunged into the Hudson River near Pier 40.

The helicopter, a Bell 206, was carrying a total of six people— the pilot, two adults, and three children— all of whom were reportedly tourists from Spain.

Eyewitnesses said the helicopter appeared to “split in half” mid-air before it crashed into the river at approximately 3:15 p.m. local time.

Emergency response teams from the New York City Fire Department, New York Police Department, and the U.S. Coast Guard responded swiftly to the scene and launched rescue efforts. Unfortunately, all six occupants were confirmed dead.

Investigations into the cause of the crash are currently underway, led by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in collaboration with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Authorities have urged the public to expect traffic delays around the West Side Highway and Spring Street area as emergency crews continue operations at the crash site.