A tragic maritime accident struck New York City on Saturday evening when the Mexican Navy’s famed training vessel, Cuauhtémoc, collided with the historic Brooklyn Bridge, shattering its three towering masts and claiming the lives of two crew members. The dramatic incident occurred around 8:20 p.m. and left dozens injured, with eyewitnesses capturing the harrowing moments on video as the ship appeared to reverse uncontrollably toward the bridge.
The 297-foot-long, four-masted tall ship—on a global goodwill and naval training voyage—was carrying 277 passengers, many of them naval cadets, when disaster struck. As it neared the bridge, Cuauhtémoc’s masts began colliding with the span, snapping one after the other under the pressure of the impact. Sailors could be seen dangling from the broken rigging in the aftermath, clinging to harnesses high above the deck.
Eyewitness Accounts: “It Looked Like a Scene From a Movie”
Dozens of onlookers had gathered to watch the iconic ship cruise the East River under a sunset sky, but the evening turned into chaos. Sydney Neidell and Lily Katz, who were watching the skyline from a nearby park, described their shock at seeing crew members hanging in the air.
“We saw someone dangling, and I couldn’t tell if it was just blurry or my eyes,” Katz told the Associated Press. “We zoomed in with our phones and there was someone hanging from a harness at the top for at least 15 minutes before they were rescued.”
Another witness, 23-year-old Nick Corso, described the sound of the collision as a series of loud cracks. “I was filming the sunset with the ship in the frame when I heard what sounded like a giant twig snapping. Then there were more—pop, pop, pop,” he said. “People on the ship were screaming, some started to run. It felt unreal—like something out of a movie.”
Lives Lost, Dozens Injured
New York City Mayor Eric Adams confirmed on social media that two of the four people initially listed in critical condition had succumbed to their injuries. At least 19 others required medical treatment, with a total of 22 reported injuries, according to a statement from the Mexican Navy.
In a heartfelt message posted to social platform X (formerly Twitter), Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy. “Our solidarity and support go out to the families of the deceased crew members,” she wrote.
Fortunately, despite the force of the impact and the ship drifting into a riverside pier, none of the crew members fell into the water. Emergency services were quick to respond, and the Brooklyn Bridge itself, which dates back to 1883 and sees over 100,000 vehicles and 32,000 pedestrians daily, was spared significant structural damage.
What Went Wrong?
Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the crash, with early reports suggesting that the ship may have experienced a mechanical failure just moments before impact.
According to NYPD Special Operations Chief Wilson Aramboles, Cuauhtémoc had just departed from a Manhattan pier and was supposed to head out to sea—not toward the bridge. “Preliminary findings suggest the vessel may have lost propulsion due to a mechanical issue,” Aramboles stated.
Video footage showed a tugboat near the ship during the collision, indicating that assistance may have already been underway before the masts struck the bridge.
The Brooklyn Bridge was temporarily closed to traffic while engineers inspected it for damage, but it was later reopened after being deemed safe.
About the Cuauhtémoc
The Cuauhtémoc, named after the last Aztec emperor, is a proud symbol of Mexico’s naval heritage. First launched in 1982, the vessel serves as a training ship for cadets of the Mexican Naval Academy. It is known for its majestic appearance, often flying a massive Mexican flag and displaying fully manned rigging during ceremonial events.
This year’s voyage was especially ambitious. According to the Mexican Navy, Cuauhtémoc set sail from Acapulco on April 6 for a 254-day journey, visiting 22 ports across 15 countries. The stop in New York City, which began on May 13, allowed locals and tourists to tour the ship as part of Mexico’s international outreach efforts.
Its main mast stands at a height of 160 feet (48.9 meters), making it taller than the clearance available under certain sections of the Brooklyn Bridge—highlighting the gravity of the navigation error that led to the collision.
Aftermath: A Somber Journey Continues
After the collision, tugboats were deployed to guide the damaged vessel northward along the East River, passing under the Manhattan Bridge and docking safely at a nearby pier. Crowds gathered along the waterfront late into the night, watching as the once-proud ship limped toward safety.
The Mexican Consulate in New York confirmed that it was working closely with city authorities to assist injured crew members and investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.
In a statement, the consulate praised the bravery and professionalism of the ship’s crew. “Despite the unimaginable circumstances, the response from the sailors and emergency services was swift and commendable,” it said.
A Wake-Up Call for Maritime Safety
The incident has sparked renewed debate about the safety of tall-masted ships navigating busy urban waterways, especially under older infrastructure like the Brooklyn Bridge. Maritime analysts suggest that updated clearance protocols, real-time navigation support, and improved mechanical inspections should be mandatory for foreign vessels entering crowded harbors.
As investigations continue and mourning begins for the fallen sailors, the global maritime community will be watching closely to learn from the incident and prevent similar tragedies in the future.
