The Cuauhtémoc, a 90.5-metre (297-foot) long three-masted sail training ship, was carrying 277 people onboard, including cadets completing their naval training. Videos shared on social media show the ship’s towering masts striking the bridge’s lower structure, with parts of the mast breaking and falling onto the ship’s deck. Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos as crowds near the water’s edge scattered, and emergency responders rushed to the scene.
New York Police Department (NYPD) and Fire Department officials confirmed they were responding to reports of injuries, though initial details about the severity and number of casualties varied. New York City Mayor Eric Adams confirmed that 19 people were injured, including four with serious injuries, but did not specify whether all were aboard the ship or on the bridge. Emergency services closed all lanes of the Brooklyn Bridge briefly but reopened the roadway by 10:30 p.m., after inspections revealed no visible structural damage to the historic bridge.
The Mexican Navy issued a statement acknowledging the accident, describing it as a “mishap” during a sailing manoeuvre that caused damage to the vessel and halted its training cruise. Authorities in Mexico and New York are jointly investigating the incident, and the status of the ship’s personnel and equipment is under review. The Foreign Affairs Ministry of Mexico also confirmed that consular officials are in contact with local authorities to assist those affected.
The Cuauhtémoc, launched in 1982, serves as an ambassadorial vessel for the Mexican Navy and embarks annually on training cruises for naval cadets. This year’s voyage began in Acapulco in early April, with a planned itinerary including 22 ports across 15 countries. The ship docked in New York on May 13 and was scheduled to visit other international destinations before concluding its 254-day mission.
The Brooklyn Bridge, opened in 1883, is a vital transportation link and tourist landmark, carrying more than 100,000 vehicles and thousands of pedestrians daily. Despite the dramatic nature of the collision, city officials have assured the public that the bridge remains safe for use while investigations continue.
