A Mexican Navy training vessel struck the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City on Saturday evening, resulting in two deaths and at least 19 injuries. The Cuauht&eacute;moc, a tall sailing ship participating in a goodwill visit, lost power before colliding with the bridge, according to Mayor Eric Adams.
The ship, measuring 297 feet in length (91 metres) and 40 feet wide (12 metres), was navigating the East River when its masts made contact with the bridge. Video footage captured the moment the ship&rsquo;s masts clipped the structure, causing all three to snap and fall onto the deck. At the time, crew members were positioned on the masts.
Aboard the vessel were 277 individuals. Mayor Adams confirmed the deaths and reported that 19 people sustained injuries, with two in critical condition. The US Coast Guard stated that all personnel had been accounted for and that the injured were transported to hospital. While the Mexican Navy initially cited 22 injuries, it later confirmed the figures were under review and announced an investigation was underway.
Eyewitnesses provided accounts of the immediate aftermath. Sydney Neidell and Lily Katz, speaking to a news outlet, said they were observing the sunset when they saw the ship impact the bridge and a mast break. &ldquo;We saw someone dangling, and I couldn&rsquo;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,&rdquo; said Katz.&nbsp;
They also observed two individuals being evacuated from the ship on stretchers and transferred to smaller boats.
Kelvin Flores, who witnessed the incident, said that he saw emergency services responding amid gridlocked traffic. &ldquo;Just seeing the actual damage was insane,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;
&ldquo;People carrying stretchers... they were trying to get the injured out.&rdquo;&nbsp;
Flores described a scene of &ldquo;commotion and a lot of chaos&rdquo; as fire crews and police attempted to reach the location.
The New York Police Department advised the public to avoid the vicinity of the Brooklyn Bridge, including South Street Seaport in Manhattan and Dumbo in Brooklyn. A statement posted on X warned of significant emergency response activity and severe traffic in the area.
City officials stated that the Brooklyn Bridge, completed in 1883 and spanning nearly 1,600 feet (490 metres) between two masonry towers, did not sustain significant structural damage. The bridge accommodates over 100,000 vehicles and an estimated 32,000 pedestrians each day, and its walkway is a popular tourist destination. No individuals were reported to have entered the water during the collision.
According to the New York Police Department&rsquo;s chief of operations, the vessel experienced mechanical failure and a power outage, which led to the crash into one of the bridge&rsquo;s pillars. The collision prompted spectators along the riverbank to run from the scene as the ship drifted toward shore.
The Cuauht&eacute;moc was eventually towed from the site. Built in 1982, the vessel is used by the Mexican Navy to complete cadets&rsquo; training following the conclusion of academic classes. It had departed from Acapulco on April 6, with Iceland as its intended final destination.
In a statement issued on social media, the Mexican Navy confirmed that the Cuauht&eacute;moc had been damaged in the collision, which halted its voyage. It said the condition of personnel and materials was being evaluated jointly by naval and local authorities. The message concluded, &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
&nbsp;

A Mexican Navy training ship lost power and struck the Brooklyn Bridge, killing two and injuring at least 19.

Mexican Navy Ship Hits Brooklyn Bridge, 2 Dead

A Mexican Navy training ship lost power and struck the Brooklyn Bridge, killing two and injuring at least 19.

May 18, 2025 | 12:35 IST