Mexican Navy Ship’s Collision with Brooklyn Bridge Injures 34, Leaves Four in Critical Condition
On a crisp Saturday evening in New York City, the festive atmosphere along the East River was shattered by a harrowing incident that left onlookers in disbelief. Just before 8:30 p.m., the ARM Cuauhtémoc, a majestic three-masted sailing vessel operated by the Mexican Navy, collided with the underside of the iconic Brooklyn Bridge, sending shockwaves through the city. The crash injured at least 19 people, four of them critically, and prompted an immediate response from emergency services as the towering masts of the historic ship snapped and collapsed, leaving sailors clinging to shattered rigging in a scene of chaos captured by stunned bystanders.
The Cuauhtémoc, a 297-foot-long barque built in 1982 and named after the last Aztec emperor, was on a goodwill visit to New York, docked earlier in the week at Pier 17 in the South Street Seaport. The vessel, a training ship for cadets at Mexico’s Heroic Naval Military School, had been open for public tours, its massive Mexican flag and illuminated masts drawing crowds of locals and tourists alike. On Saturday, as part of a ceremonial maneuver known as “manning the yards,” dozens of sailors stood atop the ship’s 147-foot masts, a traditional maritime greeting meant to honor the host port. But as the ship navigated the East River, a mechanical malfunction caused it to lose power, forcing it toward the bridge’s pillar and leading to the catastrophic collision.
Eyewitness videos circulating online show the moment of impact: the ship’s masts, adorned with strings of lights, striking the bridge’s road deck and snapping like twigs. Debris rained down onto the deck, where crew members were stationed, and some sailors were seen dangling precariously from broken crossbeams, their white uniforms stark against the night sky. On shore, tourists and pedestrians near Brooklyn Bridge Park screamed and scattered as the vessel veered toward the promenade after the crash, narrowly avoiding further disaster. “We saw someone dangling from a harness for at least 15 minutes before they were rescued,” said Sydney Neidell, a witness who had been watching the sunset with her friend Lily Katz. “It was terrifying.”
Emergency response teams, including the New York Police Department, Fire Department, and Office of Emergency Management, descended on the scene within minutes. Paramedics treated the injured on-site, with 19 sailors transported to local hospitals, including Bellevue Hospital and the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Four were reported in serious condition, though officials confirmed no one fell into the East River, dispelling earlier fears of a water rescue. The NYPD’s harbor unit and FDNY crews worked swiftly to secure the vessel, which remained stranded near the Manhattan Bridge as investigations began.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who visited the site late Saturday, addressed the public alongside Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch and other officials. “The pilot lost power, causing the ship to veer into the bridge,” Adams said, emphasizing that the 142-year-old Brooklyn Bridge sustained no visible structural damage. The bridge, a vital artery for over 100,000 vehicles and 32,000 pedestrians daily, was briefly closed to traffic and pedestrians but reopened by midnight after initial inspections. The Department of Transportation continues to assess the structure for any hidden damage, with the National Transportation Safety Board now leading a full investigation into the cause of the mechanical failure.
The Mexican Navy issued a statement on social media, confirming the Cuauhtémoc’s damage and expressing commitment to the safety of its crew. With 277 people aboard, including cadets, officers, and sailors, the ship was set to depart for Iceland before the incident halted its training cruise. Mexico’s Foreign Affairs Ministry, along with its ambassador and consulate officials in New York, is coordinating with local authorities to support the affected crew members. The vessel, a symbol of maritime heritage and international goodwill, has sailed globally for over four decades, often participating in tall ship festivals and cultural exchanges.
As the investigation unfolds, the incident has cast a shadow over upcoming maritime events, including New York’s Fleet Week, set to begin May 21, and next year’s Sail4th 250, a celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. While the Cuauhtémoc was not officially committed to the 2026 event, its presence in New York was part of promotional efforts for the international tall ship flotilla. For now, the focus remains on the injured sailors and the resilience of a city accustomed to rallying in the face of unexpected crises. The NYPD has advised the public to avoid the Dumbo and South Street Seaport areas as safety assessments continue, but the Brooklyn Bridge stands firm, its silhouette a testament to endurance amid a night of turmoil.
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