A tragic accident unfolded on Saturday when the Mexican Navy’s training vessel Cuauhtémoc collided with the Brooklyn Bridge, resulting in the deaths of two sailors and injuries to at least 19 others. The incident occurred as the tall ship, carrying 277 people on board, lost power while attempting to navigate beneath the iconic structure.
Authorities said the vessel experienced a mechanical failure and a sudden power outage as it approached the bridge, causing the towering masts to strike the underside of the structure. Disturbing footage showed the ship’s masts snapping on impact, sending debris crashing onto the deck as crew members, some standing on the rigging, were thrown off balance.
Emergency responders rushed to the scene, navigating through chaotic traffic and crowds fleeing the waterfront. Witnesses described scenes of panic and confusion. “There was lots of screaming, some sailors hanging from the masts,” said Nick Corso, a local resident who saw the collision. “The panic was immediate.”
The U.S. Coast Guard confirmed that all three masts were destroyed and that no crew members had fallen into the water. All personnel were accounted for. The ship was later towed away from the crash site.
Mayor Eric Adams confirmed the fatalities in a statement on social media and said two of the injured remained in critical condition. The Brooklyn Bridge itself sustained no major structural damage, and city inspectors gave the all-clear for traffic to resume after a preliminary inspection.
The Cuauhtémoc, a 297-foot-long (91m) and 40-foot-wide (12m) barque, is a key part of the Mexican Navy’s naval cadet training program. The ship embarked on its latest voyage from Acapulco on April 6, with Iceland listed as its final destination. The vessel was reportedly nearing the end of its U.S. visit when the crash occurred.
According to New York’s transportation department, the Brooklyn Bridge has a center clearance of 135 feet. The Cuauhtémoc’s mast height is 158 feet (48.2m), raising questions about whether the vessel should have attempted to pass under the bridge under the prevailing conditions.
Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed her condolences, calling the loss of the two sailors a “deeply saddening” event. Investigations are ongoing to determine the full cause of the power failure and assess any safety protocol violations.
