Mexican Navy Ship Strikes Brooklyn Bridge, Leaving 2 Dead and 19 Injured

A tragic maritime accident occurred in New York Harbor over the weekend when a Mexican Navy training vessel struck the Brooklyn Bridge, killing two people and injuring 19 others.

The incident took place on Saturday, May 17, as the Cuauhtémoc, a tall ship operated by the Mexican Navy, attempted to depart from Manhattan with 277 crew members and passengers aboard. According to early reports, the vessel experienced a mechanical failure shortly after departure, losing propulsion and drifting off course.

Authorities say the ship was not supposed to pass beneath the Brooklyn Bridge. As the crew tried to reverse course, the ship’s towering masts proved too tall to clear the bridge’s underpass. During the attempt to maneuver, the masts struck the bridge, causing rigging to collapse and crew members to fall.

New York Police Chief Wilson Aramboles said the ship’s crew had limited control following the power failure, and the vessel’s height became a serious hazard as it drifted dangerously close to the bridge.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams confirmed the deaths and said two other individuals remain in critical condition.

“We are praying for everyone on board and their families,” Adams said. “We’re also deeply grateful to our first responders, whose quick response prevented an even greater tragedy.”

He added that engineers have inspected the bridge and found no structural damage. The bridge was reopened to the public shortly after the all-clear.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum offered condolences following the incident, calling the loss of two sailors a tragedy.

“Our hearts are with the families of the fallen,” she said in a statement. “We are working closely with U.S. authorities to provide support and medical care for the injured.”

Eyewitnesses described a terrifying scene as the ship approached the bridge.

“It just kept drifting closer,” said Flavia Moreira, who was walking nearby at the time. “When it hit, I saw people being thrown and hanging from the masts. It was chaotic.”

Officials later confirmed that the two fatalities were individuals who fell from the masts upon impact.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched an investigation into the accident, aiming to determine the exact cause and whether procedural or mechanical failures were to blame. Officials say the findings could lead to new safety recommendations for foreign naval vessels visiting U.S. ports.

The Cuauhtémoc, often called a “floating ambassador,” is a well-known symbol of Mexico’s naval heritage. The ship travels globally on goodwill missions and training voyages. The incident casts a somber shadow over what was meant to be a ceremonial visit.