A tragic accident occurred in New York City on Saturday when the Mexican Navy’s training ship Cuauhtémoc collided with the Brooklyn Bridge. The crash left two people dead and at least 19 others injured. The ship was carrying 277 people at the time.
Cuauhtémoc ship crash: Here are the latest updates
According to reports, the accident happened while the ship was navigating the East River during a scheduled promotional tour. The masts of the tall ship were too high to pass under the Brooklyn Bridge and collided with its steel structure. Pieces of the masts collapsed, and several people were injured during the impact.
Videos shared on social media show the ship moving slowly towards the bridge before its masts struck the undercarriage. Crew members dressed in white uniforms could be seen clinging to the rigging, while parts of the mast splintered around them. Some sailors were left suspended mid-air, holding onto crossbars for safety.
Emergency responders were quick to reach the scene. The Mexican Navy confirmed that no one fell into the water, so there was no need for a water rescue. However, both the Mexican Navy and New York City officials confirmed injuries. Mayor Eric Adams stated that 19 people were hurt, including four with serious injuries.
The Mexican Navy later confirmed that two people had died and added that three more were critically injured. The cause of the crash is currently under investigation.
What do we know about the Cuauhtémoc and the Brooklyn Bridge?
The Cuauhtémoc is a tall sailing ship, known as a barque, which was built in 1982. It is used to train cadets for the Mexican Navy. The ship is named after the last emperor of the Aztecs, Cuauhtémoc, who ruled Tenochtitlan from 1520 until 1521 during the Spanish conquest.
The ship’s tallest mast measures about 48.2 metres (158 feet), which is part of why it couldn’t safely pass under the Brooklyn Bridge. The ship was reportedly performing a training maneuver at the time of the accident.
The Brooklyn Bridge, which connects Manhattan and Brooklyn, is one of New York’s oldest and most famous landmarks. Built in 1883, it is a hybrid design that combines both suspension and cable-stayed elements. It is known for its tall neo-Gothic stone towers and steel-wire cables.
Despite the force of the impact, officials have confirmed that the 142-year-old bridge did not suffer serious structural damage.
Has this happened before?
This is the first known incident involving a tall ship colliding with the Brooklyn Bridge in modern memory.
Because of the bridge’s height, ships with tall masts are typically guided or rerouted to prevent accidents. The Cuauhtémoc’s crash is being treated as a rare and serious navigational mishap.
Investigators are now working to understand why the ship was not stopped or redirected before it approached the bridge, and whether any communication errors or technical failures contributed to the deadly collision.