Mexican sailors were seen dangling from a navy training vessel's main mast moments after the ship smashed into the Brooklyn Bridge. 

The sailors had been standing atop the Cuauhtémoc's 150-foot masts in the lead up to the ship striking the iconic structure on Saturday as part of a traditional greeting. 

The massive Navy vessel, reportedly carrying nearly 300 passengers, hit the iconic New York City bridge, triggering a colossal rescue response and leaving two dead and dozens more severely injured.  

In multiple eyewitness videos, the towering masts are seen snapping and partially collapsing as they crash into the bridge's deck. Sailors perched high above are thrown into chaos, with some seen clinging to the shattered beams high up in the air.

Bystanders Sydney Neidell and Lily Katz told the Associated Press they were sitting outside watching the sunset when they saw the vessel strike the bridge and one of its masts snap.

Looking closer, they said they noticed someone hanging from high on the ship.

'We saw someone dangling, and I couldn't tell if it was just blurry or my eyes, and we were able to zoom in on our phone and there was someone dangling from the harness from the top for like at least like 15 minutes before they were able to rescue them,' Katz said.

They reported seeing two people taken off the ship on stretchers and transferred to smaller boats.

The Navy personnel had been standing on the masts of the Mexican Navy ship as part of a ceremonial greeting and show of respect upon entering a port.

This tradition, known as 'manning the yards,' is a longstanding maritime custom practiced worldwide.

The sailors aboard the Cuauhtémoc appeared to have been engaged in this time-honored ritual during the harrowing crash.

Historically, the high vantage point of a ship's masts was used for lookout duties, enabling sailors to detect hazards, approaching ships, or land beyond the horizon, according to TheAge.com.

The Mexican navy said in a post on the social platform X that the Cuauhtemoc, an academy training vessel, was damaged in an accident with the Brooklyn Bridge that prevented it from continuing its voyage.

It added that the status of personnel and material was under review by naval and local authorities, which were providing assistance.

'The Secretary of the Navy renews its commitment to the safety of personnel, transparency in its operations and excellent training for future officers of the Mexican Armada,' it said in Spanish.

The vessel is believed to have experienced some kind of mechanical difficulty that caused the captain to lose control.

A search and rescue operation in the East River have been launched.

It is understood at least four people are in critical condition and a total of 19 were injured, officials said.

Victims are being taken to the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Those who have suffered injuries are been transported to local hospitals.

The Coast Guard confirmed to DailyMail.com emergency efforts are currently underway.