Mexican Navy Ship Hits Brooklyn Bridge, Injures 19 \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ A Mexican navy training ship collided with the Brooklyn Bridge, injuring 19 people, including four seriously, during a public visit in New York City. The vessel’s mast struck the bridge, partially collapsing as it floated on the East River. Officials confirmed the iconic span sustained no major structural damage.
Quick Looks
- 19 Injured, 4 Seriously: NYC Mayor confirms injuries after Cuauhtémoc’s mast struck the bridge.
- Historic Span Intact: Brooklyn Bridge avoided major structural damage despite the collision.
- Vessel Identified: Cuauhtémoc, a Mexican naval academy ship, collided during a NYC goodwill tour.
- Dramatic Eyewitness Footage: Masts snapped on impact; one sailor seen dangling for 15 minutes.
- Emergency Response: Two injured individuals were evacuated via stretcher to smaller boats.
- Navy Statement Issued: Mexican Navy said the ship could no longer continue its voyage.
- Investigation Underway: Naval and local officials are reviewing crew safety and vessel damage.
- Ambassador Involved: Mexican diplomats in NYC are assisting the affected cadets.
Deep Look
A visit designed to showcase Mexican naval tradition turned into a maritime mishap Saturday when the tall-masted sailing ship Cuauhtémoc collided with the Brooklyn Bridge, injuring 19 people, four of them seriously, according to New York City Mayor Eric Adams.
The incident occurred on the East River, where the ship—part of a promotional and diplomatic goodwill tour—was sailing under the iconic bridge. The tops of its three towering masts struck the lower deck of the bridge and snapped dramatically, in a scene captured on multiple viral eyewitness videos.
Despite the impact, New York City’s Department of Transportation confirmed the Brooklyn Bridge sustained no major damage and remains structurally sound. However, the Cuauhtémoc, used annually to complete naval cadet training, suffered significant damage, halting its international voyage.
Eyewitnesses Describe Chaos and Daring Rescue
Tourists and locals gathered along the riverbanks were stunned by the sight of the giant green, white, and red Mexican flag fluttering beneath the bridge moments before the crash.
Sydney Neidell and Lily Katz, speaking to the Associated Press, described the moment of impact:
“We saw one of the masts snap, and then we noticed someone dangling from it. It was hard to believe what we were seeing until we zoomed in with our phones. That person was hanging for at least 15 minutes before they were rescued.”
According to the witnesses, two people were evacuated from the vessel on stretchers and transferred to smaller emergency boats.
Mexican Navy Confirms Ship Damage, Halts Voyage
In a statement posted to X (formerly Twitter), the Mexican Navy acknowledged that the ship Cuauhtémoc had been involved in an “accident with the Brooklyn Bridge,” which resulted in damage preventing the vessel from continuing its planned journey.
The Foreign Affairs Ministry also confirmed that Mexico’s ambassador to the U.S. and local consulate staff in New York were actively coordinating with emergency and city officials to provide assistance to “the affected cadets.” Although the statement did not detail injuries, the use of stretchers and critical injury confirmations by city officials underscores the severity of the event.
About the Cuauhtémoc: A Floating Naval Academy
The Cuauhtémoc was launched in 1982 and has since been used as a training vessel for cadets graduating from Mexico’s naval military school. The ship measures 297 feet (90.5 meters) long and 40 feet (12 meters) wide, with three towering masts that rise significantly above deck.
This year, the ship departed the port of Acapulco on April 6 with 277 people onboard, beginning a 254-day voyage meant to span 22 ports in 15 countries. The tour includes major stops like Kingston, Havana, Cozumel, Reykjavik, Bordeaux, Saint Malo, Dunkirk, and Aberdeen, with approximately 170 days spent at sea.
Just five days before the collision, on May 13, the Mexican Consulate announced the ship’s arrival in New York City, where it docked at Pier 17 and was opened to the public through May 17. The ship is nicknamed the “Ambassador and Knight of the Seas,” representing Mexico in global naval diplomacy.
Brooklyn Bridge: A Historic Landmark Avoids Major Harm
Opened in 1883, the Brooklyn Bridge is one of New York’s most famous landmarks. Spanning nearly 1,600 feet (490 meters), it supports over 100,000 vehicles and 32,000 pedestrians daily. The incident raised initial concerns about potential structural compromise, but after inspections, the bridge was declared safe for continued use.
Authorities will likely conduct further reviews to determine if clearance assessments or navigational miscalculations contributed to the collision. Both U.S. and Mexican officials are now collaborating on a full investigation into the circumstances.
International Tour Now in Limbo
With the Cuauhtémoc grounded in New York, its international itinerary—which includes stops in Europe and the Caribbean—is now in question. Maritime experts and Mexican Navy officials are evaluating both the ship’s physical condition and crew readiness before determining the next steps.
Though the promotional voyage was designed to strengthen diplomatic ties and celebrate naval heritage, it has now become a crisis point requiring coordinated international response, emergency medical care, and potential ship repairs.
As investigations unfold, questions will likely turn to how a naval vessel with a long track record of ceremonial voyages could strike one of the world’s most well-known bridges in the heart of New York.
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