Two people have died and 19 others were injured after a Mexican Navy training ship collided with the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City, causing chaos and panic on the waterfront. The vessel, identified as the Cuauhtémoc, struck the Brooklyn Bridge after losing power while passing under the structure on Saturday, according to police.The Mexican Navy ship crash at Brooklyn Bridge occurred when the tall sailing ship, with 277 people on board, suffered a power failure as the captain attempted to maneuver beneath the historic landmark.
The ship hit the Brooklyn Bridge’s abutment on the Brooklyn side, causing its towering masts—measuring 158 feet (48.2m) high—to clip and snap against the underside of the bridge, which has a central clearance of 135 feet.Dramatic footage from the scene shows the Mexican Navy ship’s masts breaking apart and falling to the deck, where crew members—some of whom were stationed on the rigging—were thrown to the floor. Witnesses described the aftermath as chaotic. “There was lots of screaming, some sailors hanging from the masts,” said Brooklyn resident Nick Corso.The Brooklyn Bridge boat crash resulted in two confirmed fatalities, with New York City Mayor Eric Adams stating that two of the injured are in critical condition. Emergency services rushed to the scene, but heavy traffic hindered immediate access, witnesses said.Despite the ship crash into the Brooklyn Bridge, the bridge itself sustained no major structural damage and was reopened after a preliminary inspection.
Authorities confirmed that all personnel aboard the Mexican Navy ship were accounted for, and no one fell into the water.The Cuauhtémoc, a 297-foot-long (91m) and 40-foot-wide (12m) Mexican Navy training ship, has served as a symbol of maritime diplomacy since its first voyage in 1982. The vessel left Acapulco on April 6 as part of its annual naval cadet training mission, with Iceland as its intended final destination.Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed deep sorrow over the accident, mourning the two sailors who lost their lives. The damaged Cuauhtémoc ship was towed from the site following the incident.The Brooklyn Bridge collision has sparked widespread coverage across NYC news outlets and raised concerns over maritime safety near major infrastructure. This Brooklyn Bridge boat accident, involving what many spectators described as a “pirate ship,” has now been classified among the most serious in recent memory involving the Brooklyn Bridge.
This Brooklyn Bridge crash is still under investigation, with officials citing mechanical issues and electrical failure as the likely cause.
