Two killed and nineteen injured as Mexican Navy training ship crashes into Brooklyn Bridge
A Mexican Navy sailboat crashed into New York's Brooklyn Bridge around 8pm on Saturday night, killing two people and injuring nineteen more.
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New York City Mayor Eric Adams said that the sailboat crashed into the bridge, and that there were 277 people on board.
Nineteen people are in need of medical assistance, with two remaining in critical condition.
Earlier tonight, the Mexican Navy tall ship Cuauhtémoc lost power and crashed into the Brooklyn Bridge.
— Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) May 18, 2025
At this time, of the 277 on board, 19 sustained injuries, 2 of which remain in critical condition, and 2 more have sadly passed away from their injuries. pic.twitter.com/mlaCX0X8Mh
An initial report said the ship had lost power due to mechanical issues, though officials have warned that information is preliminary. The cause of the collision is under investigation.
Witnesses report seeing sailors dangling from harnesses high in the air as they waited to be rescued.
Just found this video. Looks like the tug boat is pushing the ship to move backwards. Why? pic.twitter.com/MTKXVAMKZv
— Abwoon Podcast - 🇸🇻/acc (@abwoonpodcast) May 18, 2025
Eyewitness videos show the top of the ship's three tall masts colliding with the bridge and snapping off as the ship passes underneath. The ship then veers towards onlookers on a nearby pier on the Brooklyn side of the river.
Massive ship with Mexican flags just hit the Brooklyn Bridge
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) May 18, 2025
pic.twitter.com/hlZjMLa982
Videos show crowds running away from the river as the ship collides with railings on the pier.
One eyewitness, Nick Corso, 23, described hearing the sound of loud snapping, like a "big twig."
He said there was "lots of screaming, some sailors hanging from the masts" and "panic on the ship."
The Mexican Navy said in a post on X that the vessel, named Cuauhtémoc, was damaged in the accident.
In an absolutely stunning modern metaphor a ship blaring Mexican music and flying a massive Mexican flag just got destroyed by the Brooklyn bridge.
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) May 18, 2025
Can’t make it uppic.twitter.com/AUJy0q3oFB
The damaged ship was slowly moved up the East River at around midnight, assisted by tugboats, and docked at a pier.
The president of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, said on X: "We are very sorry for the death of two crew members of the Training Ship Cuauhtémoc, who lost their lives in the unfortunate accident at the port of New York."
"The Secretariat of the Navy, with the support of local authorities, is attending to the injured. The Mexican ambassador to the United States and personnel from the Consulate General of Mexico in New York are assisting the Secretariat of the Navy."
The Brooklyn Bridge sustained no damage, and is open to the public.
The Cuauhtémoc was sailing northbound on New York's East River.
Each year, the ship sets sail at the end of classes at the Mexican Navy military school to finish cadets' training. It left the Mexican port of Acapulco on April 6 2025, the Mexican Navy said.
It arrived in New York City on May 13.
The vessel's main mast has a height of 160 feet.
More than 100,000 vehicles pass over the Brooklyn Bridge every day, and its walkway is used by tourists and pedestrians.
This is a breaking story. More to follow.