Two people have died and 19 others were injured after a Mexican Navy training ship collided with the Brooklyn Bridge, according to New York City Mayor Eric Adams on Sunday.
The incident occurred late Saturday evening as onlookers enjoyed the spring weather and watched in horror as the ship struck the iconic landmark, snapping all three of its masts.
Mayor Adams confirmed the fatalities and injuries in a post on X, stating that out of the 277 people on board, 19 sustained injuries, with two initially in critical condition who later succumbed to their injuries.
Online footage captured the Mexican Navy ship Cuauhtemoc, whose sails were furled and decorative lights strung in its rigging. It attempted to pass under the bridge when its masts sheared off upon impact, crashing into the East River.
Just minutes before the collision, hundreds of spectators had gathered to bid farewell to the ship, which had been docked in southern Manhattan since Tuesday.
The Mexican Navy reported that two crew members died in the crash and an additional 22 were injured, with half of those injuries being critical.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed her deep sadness over the deaths of the two crew members on X.
New York police chief of special operations Wilson Aramboles stated at a press conference that the ship lost power around 8:20 pm (0020 GMT Sunday) while the captain was manoeuvring the vessel, causing it to drift towards the Brooklyn side of the bridge.
Several sailors atop the ship were injured in the collision, though it remains unclear if they were among the deceased.
Eyewitness Nick Corso, 23, described the scene as “panic on the ship,” with screaming and sailors hanging from the damaged masts. He did not see anyone fall into the water.
The Mexican Navy clarified that no one fell into the water and no rescue operation was launched. At the time of the incident, the ship was departing New York, displaying flags and a large Mexican flag at its stern.
Another eyewitness, Arturo Acatitla, 37, recounted seeing the ship leave the dock moments before its lights collided with the bridge, causing sailors to fall.
Despite the collision, the New York transport department reported “no signs of structural damage to the Brooklyn Bridge” after initial inspections. The bridge, connecting Brooklyn and Manhattan, was temporarily closed for about 40 minutes before reopening.
Mexican ambassador Esteban Moctezuma Barragan informed a news conference that the injured were taken to hospitals. Sirens were heard in the vicinity following the incident.
The NYPD’s Aramboles identified the Cuauhtemoc as a barque built in 1982 with a mast height of 48.2 meters (158 feet), noting it was en route to Iceland. The Mexican embassy had previously celebrated the ship’s arrival in Manhattan with mariachi music and folk ballet.
The Mexican Navy confirmed the damage to the Cuauhtemoc and reaffirmed its commitment to the safety of its personnel and transparency in its operations. The ship was later moved near the Manhattan Bridge.
The New York Police Department advised residents to avoid the area due to heavy traffic and the presence of numerous emergency vehicles.
This incident marks the second fatal ship collision with a US bridge in just over a year, following the Baltimore bridge collapse in March 2024 that resulted in the deaths of six road workers.
