A tragic maritime accident in New York Harbour has left two sailors dead and several others injured after the Mexican Navy’s iconic training vessel, Cuauhtémoc, collided with the Brooklyn Bridge during a goodwill tour on Saturday evening.
The ship’s three towering masts were snapped as the vessel drifted in reverse along the East River around 8:20 p.m., slamming into the historic 142-year-old bridge.
The impact sent rigging into disarray and left several crew members dangling high above the deck, still strapped into their harnesses as emergency crews rushed to the scene.
Eyewitness videos circulating online showed the vessel approaching the bridge at an awkward angle, with its massive Mexican flag waving from the stern and bystanders screaming as the collision occurred.
According to New York City Mayor Eric Adams, the bridge itself sustained no major structural damage, and no injuries were reported among motorists or pedestrians on the bridge at the time. However, the human toll on board the ship was severe.
“Of the 277 people on board, 22 sustained injuries,” Adams said. “Two remain in critical condition, and sadly, two have passed away from their injuries.”
On Sunday, the Secretariat of the Navy in Mexico confirmed the fatalities and provided further details about the incident.
“During the departure manoeuvre of the sailboat Cuauhtémoc in New York, there was a mishap with the Brooklyn Bridge.
“The accident has rendered the continuation of the instruction cruise impossible.” the statement read.
The Navy noted that among the 22 injured, 11 were listed as delicate and nine as stable. No crew members fell into the water, and rescue operations were not required, according to the Navy’s update.
Efforts are now underway to reunite cadets with their families, and support is being extended to relatives of the deceased.
The Naval Academy Director and the Commander of the Eighth Naval Region are in active contact with families to provide updates and emotional support.
“We deeply regret what happened and reaffirm our commitment to the families of the crew. An investigation is ongoing to determine the precise causes of the accident,” the Navy added.
President Claudia Sheinbaum also expressed her condolences via her official X (formerly Twitter) account:
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of two crew members of the Training Ship Cuauhtémoc. Our solidarity and support go out to their families.”
She added that Mexican diplomatic staff in New York are assisting the injured and coordinating with local authorities.
The Cuauhtémoc, named after the last Aztec emperor, is a Mexican Navy sail training vessel that tours internationally as a symbol of diplomacy and maritime tradition.
Each year, it departs after the end of classes at Mexico’s Naval Military School to complete training exercises.
The Brooklyn Bridge, completed in 1883, is one of New York City’s most iconic landmarks and sees more than 100,000 vehicles and 32,000 pedestrians cross daily.
