In a tragic maritime accident, a Mexican Navy training ship collided with New York City’s iconic Brooklyn Bridge on Saturday, resulting in the deaths of two people and injuries to at least 19 others. The vessel, known as Cuauhtémoc, suffered a catastrophic mechanical failure that left it powerless as it approached the bridge, ultimately crashing into its Brooklyn-side support.
Power Failure Leads to Deadly Impact
The Cuauhtémoc, carrying 277 individuals aboard, lost steering control after a reported power outage, causing it to veer off course. Video footage from the scene shows the ship’s towering 158-foot masts striking the underside of the bridge—a structure that offers a central clearance of only 135 feet. The impact led to the snapping of all three masts.
Several crew members were seen standing on the masts when the collision occurred, sending sailors tumbling onto the deck as the heavy structures collapsed. Onlookers described the moment as terrifying. Witness Nick Corso recalled hearing panicked screams and seeing sailors clinging to the rigging before being thrown down during the collapse.
Emergency Response and Aftermath
New York City Mayor Eric Adams confirmed the loss of two lives and stated that two others were in critical condition. Emergency responders rushed to the scene, with ambulances and fire crews navigating a chaotic waterfront to rescue the injured and secure the ship. Witness Kelvin Flores described seeing “stretchers, chaos, and fear” as emergency vehicles lined the area.
Despite the severity of the crash, the Brooklyn Bridge sustained no major structural damage. After a thorough inspection, the bridge was reopened to traffic later that day.
The U.S. Coast Guard reported that all 277 crew members were accounted for, and no one was thrown overboard during the incident. The Cuauhtémoc was eventually towed away from the crash site for further inspection and repairs.
Reactions and Investigation
Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum issued a public statement expressing deep sorrow over the deaths of the two crew members, offering condolences to their families and the naval community. The Cuauhtémoc, a 297-foot-long tall ship built in 1982, is a staple in the Mexican Navy’s cadet training program and routinely participates in goodwill missions and international voyages.
This year’s training journey began in Acapulco on April 6, with plans to conclude in Iceland. Officials are now investigating how a vessel of such height was allowed to approach a bridge with insufficient clearance, particularly after losing power.
Early reports suggest that the height of the masts—158 feet—was incompatible with the bridge’s clearance, making an accident likely once power was lost. Authorities are also examining whether protocols were in place to handle such mechanical failures in a heavily trafficked area like New York Harbor.
A Sobering Reminder
The incident highlights the risks associated with large training vessels navigating urban waterways and raises fresh concerns about safety protocols and emergency preparedness. As investigations continue, both U.S. and Mexican officials are expected to collaborate on determining the exact sequence of failures that led to the fatal collision.
For now, New York and the international naval community mourn the loss of life and reflect on the fragility of even the most routine voyages.