Mexican Navy Ship Collides with Brooklyn Bridge in New York, Leaving Two Dead

A training ship of the Mexican Navy collided with the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City on Saturday (May 17), resulting in two fatalities and 22 injuries, 11 of them in serious condition, according to the Mexican Navy. No one fell into the water.

The vessel had departed the port of Acapulco on April 6, carrying 277 people, on a voyage to visit 22 ports across 15 countries. The journey is part of the final training phase for Mexico’s naval academy cadets.

The itinerary included stops in Jamaica, Cuba, and New York, with later ports of call in Iceland, France, and Scotland, among others. The full voyage was expected to last 254 days, 170 of which would be spent at sea.

Social media videos captured the dramatic moment of the collision, showing the ship striking the Brooklyn Bridge as it passed through the East River. The ship’s masts—taller than the bridge’s clearance—snapped upon impact. Footage shows people on the ship’s upper decks and numerous vehicles on the bridge at the time.

The cause of the accident has not yet been determined.

In the early hours of Sunday (May 18), New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Mexican Ambassador Esteban Moctezuma Barragán addressed the incident, stating that all efforts are focused on treating the injured, who were transported to various hospitals in the city.

“We are working to ensure the best possible care for them,” said Ambassador Barragán. “The Mexican Navy is in the process of contacting the families of those involved to provide updates on their condition. We will offer full support to their families,” he added.

Mayor Adams confirmed that some relatives of the crew members will be traveling to New York to assist and support their loved ones.

Brooklyn Bridge: An Icon of New York City

The Brooklyn Bridge, a historic and iconic structure inaugurated in 1883, spans 490 meters (main span) and is supported by two towers. According to the city’s Department of Transportation, it is a major tourist attraction and a vital transportation link, with over 100,000 vehicles and 32,000 pedestrians crossing daily.

Witnesses Sydney Neidell and Lily Katz told the Associated Press that they were watching the sunset when the ship hit the bridge. “We zoomed in with our phone and saw someone hanging there for at least 15 minutes before they were rescued,” said Katz.

A Ship of Peace and Tradition

The Cuauhtémoc, the Mexican Navy’s training ship involved in the collision, has been sailing the world since 1982, representing Mexico as a symbol of peace and goodwill. It measures 90.5 meters in length and 12 meters in width and is named after the last Aztec emperor, Cuauhtémoc.

The voyage aboard the Cuauhtémoc is a key part of the cadet training program. Since 2011, women have participated in these training expeditions. Each year, the ship sets sail at the end of the academic cycle to complete the cadets’ formation at sea.

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