All passengers dead as helicopter crashes into New York river

A helicopter has crashed into the Hudson River in New York, United States, killing all six passengers on board.

Authorities said the victims included three children and three adults–the pilot and a family visiting from Spain.

The incident happened on Thursday afternoon, less than 30 minutes after the helicopter took off from Manhattan.

Eric Adams, New York City’s mayor, said bodies of the deceased have been recovered.

Earlier, authorities noted that four of the victims were pronounced dead at the scene of the crash while the other two were confirmed dead at an area hospital.

Adams described the incident as tragic and devastating.

“Our hearts go out to the family of those who were on board and all six who were on board of the helicopter,” he said.

Images circulating on social media from the scene showed a helicopter floating upside down in the river and appearing to sink.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said the crashed helicopter was a Bell 206–a type of two-bladed helicopter.

The FAA said it would conduct an investigation to be led by the National Transportation Safety Board, which would also provide further updates.

Reports of flight crashes have increased in recent times in the US.

In January, an American Airlines commercial plane with 60 passengers and four crew members aboard collided with an army Black Hawk helicopter carrying three crew members, near Washington DC.

The army helicopter was on a routine training flight.

No survivors were found