A terrifying scene unfolded in New York City as a towering Mexican Navy training ship lost power and slammed into the Brooklyn Bridge, killing two people and injuring 19 others in a dramatic, chaotic incident witnessed by horrified onlookers.
Cuauhtémoc’s Power Failure Turns Deadly
The Cuauhtémoc, a 297-foot-long, 40-foot-wide barque with a mast height of 48.2 meters, was making its way up the East River on Saturday when it suffered a sudden power failure, BBC News reports.
“Earlier tonight, the Mexican Navy tall ship Cuauhtemoc lost power and crashed into the Brooklyn Bridge,” New York City Mayor Eric Adams wrote on X.
Of the 277 people on board, 19 sustained injuries, with two in critical condition and two confirmed dead.
According to police, the ship was attempting a maneuver near the bridge when mechanical issues sent it directly into the bridge’s abutment.
Footage captured the harrowing moment the Cuauhtémoc’s masts smashed into the bridge, sending debris tumbling into the East River and forcing dozens of crew members to cling to the rigging.
Panic on the Deck and Screams from Shore
Nick Corso, a 23-year-old Brooklyn resident, witnessed the crash unfold in real time. “Lots of screaming, some sailors hanging from the masts, looked like panic happening on the ship,” he told AFP, via News.com.au. “People ran back and were screaming!” he added, noting one man at the back of the ship “waving for people to move away from the walkway.”
Videos posted online showed the ship’s rigging aglow with lights as it drifted backward into the bridge, its sails furled and unable to power away from danger. Moments later, all three masts collapsed — snapping violently and crashing onto the deck below.
“There was someone dangling from the harness from the top for like at least like 15 minutes before they were able to rescue them,” Lily Katz told the AP.
Immediate Emergency Response
Chief of Training Michael Meyers from the New York City Fire Department described the urgent rescue operation. “Originally, we had a Brooklyn box out for folks in the water, for a boat in distress,” he wrote on X. “Once the marine units arrived on scene, we knew immediately that we had a serious incident with a boat striking the bridge.”
Meyers said EMS units were brought directly onto the Cuauhtémoc to treat the most seriously injured before transporting them to Pier 16. There, a casualty collection point was established for triage and immediate hospital transfer.
Witness Kelvin Flores said he saw “a lot of commotion and a lot of chaos,” adding: “Just seeing the actual damage was insane. People carrying stretchers... they were trying to get the injured out.”
A Navy Ship’s Journey Cut Short
The Cuauhtémoc, launched in 1982, had been on a 254-day tour involving 22 ports in 15 countries, including Jamaica, Cuba, France, Scotland, and Iceland, the Guardian reports.
Just four days before the crash, the ship had arrived in New York and docked at Pier 17, where its crew was met with mariachi music, folk ballet, and cheering crowds, according to the Mexican embassy.
The vessel was in the midst of a training exercise for naval cadets when the crash occurred. The Mexican Navy later posted: “The Ministry of the navy reaffirms its commitment to the safety of its personnel, transparency in its operations and excellence in the training of future officers of the Mexican navy.”
The navy also confirmed that “no personnel fell into the water, so it was not necessary to activate rescue operations.”
Brooklyn Bridge Briefly Shut Down
Though the ship struck the bridge with considerable force, the structure remained largely intact. “While inspections will remain ongoing, there are no signs of structural damage to the Brooklyn Bridge,” the New York transport department posted on X. The bridge was temporarily closed for about 40 minutes before reopening.
Following the incident, the ship was moved near the Manhattan Bridge, and the area was cleared of traffic and pedestrians.
Fire department divers were also deployed to search the surrounding water, though all personnel had been accounted for.
Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed her sorrow over the tragic outcome, saying she was “deeply saddened by the loss of two crew members in the accident.”
Our thoughts go out to every person impacted by this unfolded tragedy.