Two Dead, Seventeen Injured [WATCH]

A Mexican Navy training vessel struck the Brooklyn Bridge late Saturday evening, killing two crew members and injuring 17 others, including two in critical condition, according to fire officials.

The incident occurred just after 8:30 p.m. as the Cuauhtémoc, a tall ship with 277 crew members aboard, was departing New York en route to Iceland.

According to New York City Mayor Eric Adams, the ship apparently lost power while navigating the East River.

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Without propulsion, the vessel drifted into the Brooklyn Bridge’s lower deck, which has a maximum clearance of 135 feet.

The collision sheared off the ship’s three 147-foot masts.

A ship has collided with the Brooklyn bridge today.

pic.twitter.com/DKtO07Dvw4

— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) May 18, 2025

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Eyewitnesses near Brooklyn Bridge Park described the scene as chaotic.

“The boat was coming under the bridge, and there were sailors on top of the boat, the sails hit the bridge and then people were falling off of the boat sails,” said Elijah West, who was among the onlookers.

“It was crazy. We were standing under the bridge and we all started running. Then I saw people hanging from the sails. Police boats came around fast — about five minutes later. And then police guided the boat to the [Manhattan] bridge and started the rescue. It was a shock.”

Multiple videos taken from different angles captured the collision.

In one clip, a witness can be heard exclaiming, “She’s about to crash… Oh s–t!” as the ship’s masts crumpled against the structure.

Ismari Romero, 43, watched from Pier 17 with her sister as the event unfolded.

“We were celebrating and we were saying goodbye and singing,” Romero said.

“We were all joyful, and they departed. And then they reached the Brooklyn Bridge. We were scared — a lot of people were screaming, a lot of people were crying.”

Photographer Aya Asan, who had just completed a photoshoot in the park, said the impact sent panic through the crowd.

“For a moment, I thought the boat might somehow crash into the park area, where the people were. I started running away, everyone started running … Everyone was shocked and then we saw a lot of police and heard sirens. I saw people hanging there.”

Emergency responders launched a water search after reports that sailors had fallen overboard, but later confirmed that no one had ended up in the river.

The damaged ship was eventually directed to Pier 16, where aid was administered to the injured.

It is expected to be moved to Pier 36.

The names of the deceased have not been released.

Retired Navy Capt. Alfred S. McClaren questioned how the ship’s crew allowed the collision to occur.

“It could lose power and drift. So the question is just how fast were they going. But why didn’t they use a rudder one way or another? One of the first things I would have done is drop my anchor or anchors,” McClaren said.

The Brooklyn Bridge sustained minor structural damage and has since reopened.

Officials warned of ongoing traffic delays near the impacted area around New Dock Street and Water Street in Brooklyn.

The Cuauhtémoc, built in 1982 in Spain specifically to train cadets, had been docked in New York as part of an international goodwill tour promoting the upcoming Sail4th 2026 event, which will commemorate the 250th anniversary of American independence.

The vessel is one of 30 Class A International Tall Ships expected to participate in the 2026 parade through New York Harbor.

This year’s crew includes 175 cadets, the largest class in the Mexican Navy’s history.

“The classes are getting bigger and bigger. We just keep getting more and more people!” said Lt. Sg. Hugo Calvario, the ship’s orthopedic surgeon.

“We had to leave almost 40% of the crew to take on more cadets,” he added, noting that cadets had assumed greater responsibilities as a result.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum issued a statement expressing her condolences, saying she was “deeply saddened” by the loss of life.

The Mexican Navy also released a statement confirming the incident: “During the sailing maneuver of the Cuauhtémoc sailboat in New York, a mishap occurred with the Brooklyn Bridge, causing damage to the training ship, preventing the continuation of the training cruise for the time being.”

They added that personnel and equipment assessments are ongoing and affirmed their commitment to safety, transparency, and officer training.

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