A Mexican Navy training vessel, Cuauhtémoc, collided with New York City’s historic Brooklyn Bridge on Saturday evening, leaving 2 killed and at least 22 crew members injured, including three in critical condition, in what authorities are calling a “serious navigational incident.”
Dramatic footage shared on social media captured the towering masts of the sailing ship striking the underside of the bridge as it attempted to pass beneath it. The impact caused parts of two masts to snap and collapse onto the deck, where several crew members were reportedly stationed.
During a late-night press briefing, New York City Mayor Eric Adams confirmed that while the bridge sustained no visible structural damage, the ship suffered significant harm, losing the top sections of two of its masts. He added that no crew member had fallen into the East River, and all personnel aboard the vessel had been accounted for.
“There are multiple injuries onboard, and three of those are serious,” said Mayor Adams, though officials from the Mexican Navy later stated that four crew members were in serious condition. The injured were transported to nearby hospitals, authorities said.
The U.S. Coast Guard, which is leading the initial response along with local emergency teams, said the ship reported “multiple injuries onboard” and would remain docked until a full inspection is completed.
According to Mexican authorities, Cuauhtémoc was on a goodwill tour and had docked in New York as part of a scheduled stop. The vessel had departed from the port of Acapulco on April 6 with 277 personnel onboard, most of them cadets completing their naval training.
Built in 1982, the vessel spans 297 feet in length and 40 feet in width, and is considered a vital component of the Mexican Navy’s naval education programme. Each year, it embarks on international voyages to complete the academic cycle for cadets from the Naval Military School.
Eyewitnesses near the waterfront areas of South Street Seaport in Manhattan and DUMBO in Brooklyn reported scenes of panic as the ship approached the bridge. Crowds, initially gathered to welcome the iconic vessel, were seen fleeing the area when the masts made contact with the bridge.
New York police have since cordoned off sections of the waterfront and issued a traffic advisory, warning residents to avoid the affected areas due to an increased emergency response presence. “Expect delays and heavy traffic near the Brooklyn Bridge,” the NYPD posted on X (formerly Twitter).
The Mexican Navy has confirmed the launch of a formal inquiry into the incident. In a brief statement, it acknowledged the damage sustained by the vessel and assured that a full investigation would be conducted to determine the cause of the collision.
While the incident has raised questions about clearance protocols for tall-masted ships navigating urban waterways, officials have yet to comment on whether pilot error, miscalculation, or mechanical failure played a role.
The Brooklyn Bridge, completed in 1883, is one of the oldest suspension bridges in the United States and a major landmark of New York City. It remains open to traffic and pedestrians following structural assessments.
