Tragic Collision: Mexican Navy Ship Hits Brooklyn Bridge, Resulting in Fatalities

NEW YORK -- A Mexican naval training ship, the Cuauhtemoc, encountered a catastrophic incident on Saturday evening when it collided with the Brooklyn Bridge during a promotional tour in New York City. The collision, which occurred as the ship traversed the East River, resulted in the severing of its three masts and the tragic deaths of two crew members.

New York City officials confirmed that while the historic Brooklyn Bridge, which has stood for 142 years, sustained no significant damage, the incident left at least 19 individuals aboard the ship requiring medical attention. The mayor of New York City, Eric Adams, reported that two of the four individuals who suffered serious injuries succumbed to their wounds.

The circumstances surrounding the collision are currently under investigation. Eyewitness accounts reveal that the Cuauhtemoc was moving quickly in reverse when it struck the bridge, leading to a dramatic sequence of events captured on video. As the vessel's masts collided with the bridge, they snapped one by one while the ship continued its path.

Video footage from the scene depicted heavy traffic on the bridge at the time of the accident, though fortunately, no injuries were reported among pedestrians or drivers. After the collision, the ship, which was adorned with a large Mexican flag and carried 277 individuals onboard, drifted into a nearby pier as onlookers fled from the scene.

Witnesses described a chaotic atmosphere aboard the ship, with some crew members seen suspended in the rigging of the damaged masts, awaiting rescue. One observer noted seeing individuals dangling from harnesses for an extended period before they were ultimately rescued. The impact of the collision was reportedly reminiscent of a loud snapping sound, akin to breaking a large twig.

The Mexican Navy later issued a statement confirming that the Cuauhtemoc serves as an academy training vessel. The Mexican President extended condolences to the families of the deceased crew members, expressing solidarity in this tragic time.

The Brooklyn Bridge, a vital thoroughfare that opened in 1883, spans nearly 1,600 feet and supports over 100,000 vehicles and approximately 32,000 pedestrians daily. Following the collision, traffic across the bridge was temporarily halted but was allowed to resume after a thorough inspection.

Initial reports suggested that the ship may have experienced a mechanical failure that caused it to veer off course. Authorities noted that a tugboat was present near the Cuauhtemoc at the time of the incident, further complicating the situation.

The Cuauhtemoc, measuring approximately 297 feet in length and 40 feet in width, was launched in 1982 and has a main mast that rises to 160 feet. After arriving in New York City on May 13, the ship was scheduled to visit multiple ports in 15 different countries over the course of 254 days, with 170 of those days spent at sea.

As the night progressed, efforts were made to move the damaged vessel up the East River, where it was assisted by tugboats and eventually docked at a pier. Crowds continued to gather along the waterfront, drawn to the unfolding events.