New Delhi: A Mexican navy sailing ship collided with the Brooklyn Bridge on Saturday evening, injuring 19 people — four of them seriously — and causing a dramatic scene.
The vessel, named Cuauhtémoc, was part of a promotional tour showcasing naval training and Mexican maritime heritage. As it sailed along the East River, the ship’s towering masts struck the historic Brooklyn Bridge, causing parts of the rigging to collapse and sending shockwaves through the bustling area.
According to New York City Mayor Eric Adams, all injuries occurred on the ship. Emergency services responded swiftly, with two individuals reportedly taken off the vessel on stretchers via smaller rescue boats.
Massive party ship with a humongous flag of Mexico hits the Brooklyn Bridge 😳
Reports are coming in of multiple people injured, avoid the area pic.twitter.com/F1NxYkcTuV
— Wake Up NJ 🇺🇸 New Jersey (@wakeupnj) May 18, 2025
Videos go viral
Eyewitnesses Sydney Neidell and Lily Katz, who were seated nearby enjoying the sunset, captured the chaotic moment. “We saw someone dangling… for at least 15 minutes before they were able to rescue them,” Katz told the Associated Press.
Videos circulating on social media show the Cuauhtémoc— flying the green, white and red Mexican flag — drifting after the crash as the top of one of its masts dangled limply from the bridge’s structure. The bridge itself remained open following initial inspections, though traffic was heavily disrupted during emergency response efforts.
Mexican Navy confirms the incident
The Mexican Navy confirmed the incident in a statement posted on X, stating that the ship had been involved in an “accident with the Brooklyn Bridge”, which has prevented it from continuing its voyage. They added that the condition of personnel and the extent of material damage were under review in coordination with local and naval authorities.
“The Secretary of the Navy renews its commitment to the safety of personnel, transparency in its operations, and excellent training for future officers of the Mexican Armada,” the statement read.
