New York City residents have witnessed many shocking events in the city, but the deadly crash of Mexican naval ships entering the historic Brooklyn Bridge shocked even the strongest New Yorkers.

According to New York City Mayor Eric Adams, the ship's captain lost control due to mechanical problems, causing the naval training ship's tall mast to hit a 142-year-old bridge, connecting Brooklyn to Manhattan.

During the crash, two of the 277 Navy crew members and cadets were killed and another 22 were injured. Mexican Veracruz Governor Rocío Nahle was identified as one of the two dead on Sunday.

Shortly after the crash on Saturday night, video of the collision was touring online, with hundreds of people rushing into the water to see their own injuries.

Ishmael Alvarado lives on the Manhattan side of the Brooklyn Bridge and says his son is starting to call on him to look out the window when he hears some noise outside.

"I thought it was a movie. I didn't know that it was actually happening," he told NBC News on Sunday.

After hearing about the two dead, Alvarado wanted to see the ship in person to pay tribute.

"I feel so sad, I feel for the sailors' families there," Alvarado said. "I am a veteran of the Marines myself, so I understand the people who serve. ... They serve the country in Mexico."

Mexican authorities said its naval ships were on a cruising training, called the "bi-century year of consolidation of sea independence." It was intended to stop in New York for a few days as part of cultural exchanges and then set out to Iceland to continue its journey.

The cause of the collision is under investigation by the New York Police Department, the National Transportation Safety Commission and the Mexican government.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo thanked Adams for his support for his country’s nationals and assured that the Mexican Navy was taking care of the wounded.

"We are very sorry to hear the death of two crew members of Buque Escuela Cuauhtémoc, who died in a regrettable accident at the New York port," Pardo wrote on X.

Theresa Lee came to the boat on Sunday with her two dogs. When she first saw the crash video, Lee said she thought it was made by artificial intelligence.

"I don't think it's a real thing," Lee said, adding that the crash seemed to be happening in slow motion, "the mast breaks so slowly that it goes backwards."

Laureen Smith returned to the area from dinner in Manhattan on Saturday night and returned home to see the boat after receiving a text message about his family’s shocking news.

"Usually, we're seeing ferries walking back and forth, or like a cargo ship with containers, but not a big ship like this," Smith said Saturday. "I've never seen someone like this before."

Smith said she immediately felt attention for the people on board.

"I just can't believe it, why?" Smith said. "How could they miss something that wasn't suitable under Brooklyn Bridge?"

Zach Iscol, the city’s emergency management commissioner, called the collision “heartbreaking” not only because of the loss of life, but also because of how death affects the crew. Iskol said reports about what happened are still preliminary.

The ship is moving from the harbor to Bay Ridge in southern Brooklyn, anchoring and refueling when the crash occurs.

"It was reported that something happened to the ship in that ship, reportedly losing power, losing action, and that was - due to its current state, it looked like it was under the Brooklyn Bridge," Iskol said. "This is where the tragedy happened to the mast."

On a warm Saturday night, people gathered around Brooklyn's shoreline, with many viewing the wreckage as paramedics, while divers helped the wreckage on board.

Andrew Schiff, a New Yorker who attended the local sailing club, said he attended a jazz concert on board at a jazz concert in the area and saw the ship about 10 minutes after the crash.

"I think it's like some kind of movie or something," Schiff said.

Schiff noted that he had experienced driving on the Hudson River, saying the power of current around the bridge was very important.

"I mean, sometimes the East River flows towards the ocean of 3 or 4, which is a very strong current," he said.

He added that trying to drive a boat in the water requires a lot of engine power to help control the vessel.

"The ferry has it, but if you don't, if you have a sailboat that doesn't have too many engine power, it might throw you away," Schiff said.