Two Dead, 19 Injured After Mexican Navy Training Ship Crashes into Brooklyn Bridge: NYC Mayor

A tragic maritime accident unfolded late Saturday night when a Mexican Navy training vessel, the Cuauhtémoc, collided with the Brooklyn Bridge, leaving two people dead and 19 others injured, New York City Mayor Eric Adams confirmed on Sunday.

The vessel, adorned with ceremonial lights and furled sails, was attempting to pass under the iconic bridge when all three of its towering masts were sheared off, crashing dramatically into the East River as stunned onlookers watched.

“Of the 277 people on board, 19 sustained injuries, two of which remain in critical condition, and two others have sadly succumbed to their injuries,” Adams wrote on social media platform X (formerly Twitter).

Witnesses described a scene of chaos as the ship lost power and drifted toward the bridge’s Brooklyn abutment. “There was panic on the ship,” said Nick Corso, 23, a Brooklyn resident. “Some sailors were hanging from the masts, lots of screaming — it was clear something had gone terribly wrong.”

According to NYPD Chief of Special Operations Wilson Aramboles, the vessel’s captain had lost control while maneuvering out of port, leading the ship to strike the bridge. The ship had just left its dock and was en route to Iceland, following a four-day stay in New York.

The Mexican Navy confirmed in a statement that 22 individuals sustained injuries in total, with three listed as critical. The navy emphasized that no one fell into the river and that no water-based rescue operations were required.

The Cuauhtémoc, a steel-hulled barque launched in 1982 and often used for diplomatic and training missions, stands 48.2 meters (158 feet) tall. It was departing Manhattan’s Pier 17 when the crash occurred. Just days earlier, it had been welcomed with mariachi music and traditional folk dancing, drawing a crowd of local residents and Mexican expatriates.

Following a brief closure, the Brooklyn Bridge reopened within 40 minutes. The New York Department of Transportation reported that initial inspections found no structural damage to the bridge.

The Mexican ambassador to the U.S., Esteban Moctezuma Barragán, confirmed that the injured were transported to nearby hospitals. The vessel, now visibly damaged, was later moved near the Manhattan Bridge, according to AFP reporters on the scene.

In a follow-up statement, the Mexican Navy pledged full transparency in its investigation and reaffirmed its commitment to the safety of its personnel and the training of future naval officers.

This rare maritime incident has raised questions about navigational procedures and safety measures for large ships navigating near heavily trafficked urban infrastructure. Further investigations are expected from both U.S. and Mexican authorities.