Mexican Navy Ship Strikes Brooklyn Bridge in Fatal Collision, Killing Two and Injuring Dozens
- Victor Nwoko
- 7 hours ago
- 3 min read
A Mexican navy sailing vessel, the Cuauhtemoc, on a global goodwill mission, collided with the Brooklyn Bridge on Saturday evening, snapping all three of its masts, killing two crew members, and injuring at least 22 others. The incident, which occurred at approximately 8:20 p.m., left several sailors suspended in harnesses high above the deck as rescue efforts unfolded.
Despite the dramatic collision, New York City Mayor Eric Adams confirmed the iconic 142-year-old bridge sustained no significant structural damage. However, 19 individuals aboard the ship required medical attention, including four who suffered serious injuries. Two of those later died, according to Adams.
The Cuauhtemoc, an academy training vessel for the Mexican navy, was navigating in reverse along the East River when it struck the Brooklyn Bridge near its Brooklyn-side span. Witnesses captured the moment in a series of videos showing the tall masts snapping one by one as the ship continued its reverse trajectory. The ship, which had just departed from a Manhattan pier, then drifted into a riverside pier, causing onlookers to scatter.
Authorities are investigating the cause of the crash. Preliminary reports suggest the ship may have experienced a mechanical failure, leading to a loss of power. The New York Police Department indicated the ship was supposed to head out to sea, not toward the bridge. A tugboat was seen near the vessel at the time of the incident, but it remains unclear whether it was assisting at the time of impact.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos. Sydney Neidell and Lily Katz were watching the sunset when they saw the vessel collide with the bridge. “We saw someone dangling,” Katz said, describing how they zoomed in on their phone and witnessed a sailor suspended from a harness for around 15 minutes before being rescued.
Nick Corso, 23, was recording the skyline when he heard the loud cracking of the masts. “I didn’t know what to think,” he said. “I was like, is this a movie?” Corso described the aftermath as “pandemonium,” with crew members left hanging in the rigging.
The Cuauhtemoc, measuring approximately 297 feet long and 40 feet wide, with a main mast height of 160 feet, was flying a large Mexican flag and carrying 277 people at the time of the crash. The ship, which first launched in 1982, serves as a training platform for naval cadets. This year’s voyage began April 6 from Acapulco and was scheduled to visit 22 ports in 15 countries over 254 days.
Following the collision, the damaged vessel was slowly towed up the East River, passing beneath the Manhattan Bridge and docking at a nearby pier. Crowds continued to gather along the waterfront to watch the operation.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed her condolences, saying, “Our solidarity and support go out to their families.”
The Brooklyn Bridge, a National Historic Landmark that opened in 1883, spans nearly 1,600 feet and supports over 100,000 vehicles and 32,000 pedestrians daily. City officials halted traffic on the bridge briefly for safety inspections before reopening it.
As investigations continue, maritime safety protocols and the ship's navigational systems will be scrutinized to determine exactly what led to the rare and tragic incident.
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