Helicopter crash-lands on top of Manhattan high-rise, killing pilot

One person was killed after a helicopter made a forced landing onto the roof of a New York City skyscraper in Midtown Manhattan on Monday afternoon, according to local authorities.

The crash occurred around 1.45pm (17.45 GMT) at No 787, 7th Avenue in Manhattan, an office building over 50 storeys tall in the heart of the city. 

A fire was caused by the crash, but it was quickly brought under control, said the New York City Fire Department (FDNY).

Emergency responders swarmed the site and several streets in the vicinity were blocked.

People working in the building told media outlets that they felt the building shake when the helicopter crashed and the building was later evacuated.

Tourists passing by were startled by the scene.

"It's terrible. It's terrible. I don't understand. I come from Paris. Now I can't, I don't understand how it's possible a helicopter was down on the roof. I'm very worried, very," said a French tourist.

US President Donald Trump said in a tweet an hour after the crash that he has been briefed on the incident and thanked the first responders for their "phenomenal job."

Additionally, New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo's secretary, Melissa DeRosa, said on Twitter that Trump called the governor to ask about the crash and "to offer any assistance needed."

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said at a press conference at around 4pm (20.00 GMT) that the crash showed no indication of terrorism or any ongoing threat to New Yorkers at the moment and no other passenger was in the helicopter, but he stressed that the conclusions were based on "preliminary information."

It is yet unclear if the crashed helicopter had permission to be flying midtown or whether the foggy and rainy weather contributed to the crash.

The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed that the crashed helicopter is an Agusta A109E and that the National Transportation Safety Board will be in charge of the investigation.

-  CCTV+