A Mexican Navy Ship’s sailing vessel decorated with bright lights and flags collided with New York’s iconic Brooklyn Bridge. The shocking incident occurred late on Saturday night. The majestic sailing ship, Cuauhtémoc, collided with the Bridge. The incident resulted in a catastrophic shearing of towering masts of the vessel. The New York police stated that apparently the ship lost power moments before the crash, forcing it to head towards the bridge.

The collision was so severe that it  tragically claimed the lives of two individuals and left 17 others injured. The incident has sent shockwaves through the city and prompted investigations into the cause.

How the Cuauhtémoc Collided

According to reports, harrowing videos were captured by onlookers present on the scene. The videos vividly illustrate the dramatic moment the Cuauhtémoc hit the bridge. The Ship’s rigging illuminated and a large Mexican flag prominently displayed, approached the Brooklyn side of the East River span.

The three-masted sailing ship ARM Cuauhtemoc of the Mexican Navy crashed into the Brooklyn Bridge in New York. There were about 200 people on board the vessel, which arrived in the United States for a sailing event. pic.twitter.com/T0Xndn1h0I

— Gene Green (@GeneGreen344103) May 18, 2025

The vessel is named in honor of the last Aztec emperor. As the vessel attempted to cross beneath the historic structure, its impressive 147-foot (45-meter) masts proved to be fatally too tall. The top portions of the masts violently struck the underside of the bridge’s arch, The collision snapping audibly and partially collapsing onto the ship’s deck killing 2. The footage also showed heavy vehicular traffic traversing the Brooklyn bridge at the time of the collision.

Fatalities and Injuries Aboard

The aftermath of the collision was even more deadly, revealing a grim scene on board. The  New York City Mayor Eric Adams confirmed early Sunday the devastating loss of two lives among those who sustained serious injuries. In total, 17 individuals suffered injuries, requiring medical attention. Brooklyn residents who witnessed the accident, said the area erupted in panic. There was “lots of screaming, some sailors hanging from the masts”.

At approximately 8:20 Saturday night, the FDNY received a call that a boat struck the Brooklyn Bridge. There were 277 people on the boat. 27 people were removed for treatment.

“Originally, we had a Brooklyn box out for folks in the water, for a boat in distress. Once the… pic.twitter.com/0m7sTl7jTY

— FDNY (@FDNY) May 18, 2025

The Mexican Navy later reported that 22 personnel on board were injured, with 19 requiring hospitalization, and initially noted that three were in serious condition. Eyewitness accounts painted a distressing picture of naval cadets, dressed in their white uniforms, dangling precariously from the ship’s damaged rigging high above the deck, awaiting rescue. Authorities also confirmed that no individuals fell into the East River.

Statement of the Police

New York police chief of special operations Wilson Aramboles told a press conference said, The  vessel lost power at around 8:20 pm (local time) while the captain was manoeuvring the vessel, forcing it to head for the bridge abutment on the Brooklyn side.

Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum said Saturday she was “deeply saddened” by the loss of two crew members from a navy ship after it crashed into the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City. In a post on social media she wrote, “We are deeply saddened by the loss of two crew members  of the Cuauhtemoc Training Ship”

The Cuauhtémoc

The Cuauhtemoc, a 91-meter (297ft) long and 12-meter (40ft) wide vessel launched in 1982, traditionally undertakes training voyages for naval cadets after their academy courses. This year’s voyage began on April 6th from Acapulco, Mexico, with Iceland as its intended final destination. The power failure occurred around 8:20 pm local time, leading to the devastating collision. Mexican officials are also helping the cadets who were affected, working with local authorities.

The ship had been on a long voyage since early April, starting in Acapulco with plans to visit many ports across different countries. It had recently arrived in New York City on May 13th but was supposed to leave just a few days later on May 17th.

Brooklyn Bridge

The Brooklyn Bridge, a famous and busy landmark in New York City that was finished in 1883, handles a huge amount of traffic daily, both vehicles and pedestrians, with its central walkway being a popular spot for tourists. The Brooklyn Bridge is a widely recognized symbol of New York City and has been depicted in numerous films, books, and works of art. It represents both the city and the idea of modernity.