Mexican Navy Sailing Ship Crashes Brooklyn Bridge
NEW YORK – A Mexican Navy sailing ship festooned with lights and a giant flag crashed into the iconic Brooklyn Bridge on Saturday night, shearing off the tops of its masts. The accident resulted in two fatalities and left 17 others injured, according to New York City officials. Videos circulating online captured the vessel, the training ship Cuauhtémoc, as it sailed under the famous bridge spanning the East River between Manhattan and Brooklyn.
The ship’s 147-foot masts were too tall to clear the arched bridge at that spot, causing them to topple upon contact. Cuauhtémoc, named after the last Aztec emperor, was on a scheduled visit to New York and preparing to depart for Iceland after the incident.
Details on Injuries and Rescue Efforts
The Mexican Navy reported on social media that 22 people aboard were injured, with 19 receiving hospital care, including three who were seriously hurt. Thankfully, no one fell into the water during the crash, so no rescue operations in the river were necessary, local authorities confirmed.
Early Sunday updates indicated that two people had died and two others remained in critical condition. Naval cadets dressed in white uniforms were seen clinging to the ship’s crossbeams after the collision, highlighting the chaos onboard.
Cause and Impact of the Incident
Officials suggested that mechanical issues likely caused the crash, though they have not provided detailed explanations. Bystanders near the South Street Seaport witnessed the massive vessel striking the bridge and veering toward the dock, causing panic and confusion.
Despite the dramatic event, the Brooklyn Bridge, a historic structure completed in 1883 and once the world’s largest suspension bridge, sustained no major damage. Traffic resumed shortly after a preliminary inspection confirmed the bridge’s structural integrity.
Support and Historical Context
Mexico’s foreign ministry confirmed that the country’s ambassador to the U.S. and other officials were assisting the affected cadets and coordinating with local authorities. The Cuauhtémoc was built in 1981 at the Celaya Shipyards in Bilbao, Spain, and was co-hosted by local maritime organizations during its New York visit. The public had been invited aboard the ship during its stay.
The incident has raised questions about safety protocols for tall vessels navigating under low-clearance bridges, especially in busy urban waterways. Community leaders and experts are reviewing the events to prevent similar accidents in the future.
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