Video of Mexican Ship Crash Hitting Brooklyn Bridge

New York City, May 17 – A tragic accident struck the heart of New York City on Saturday when a tall Mexican Navy training ship, the Cuauhtémoc, collided with the Brooklyn Bridge, resulting in the deaths of two individuals and injuring at least 19 others. The ship, carrying 277 personnel on board, lost power while navigating under the iconic structure, causing it to crash into a bridge abutment on the Brooklyn side.

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A Collision on the Water and Video

The incident occurred on the morning of May 17, as the Cuauhtémoc attempted to pass under the Brooklyn Bridge during a routine maneuver along the East River. According to the New York Police Department, the vessel suffered a sudden power loss, rendering it unable to steer properly. As a result, the ship drifted off course and collided with the base of the bridge.


Video footage from the scene captured the terrifying moment when the towering masts of the sailing ship struck the underside of the bridge. The impact was powerful enough to topple several sailors who had been standing on the masts, sending them crashing down onto the deck below. Witnesses described the moment as chaotic and surreal.

“It was like something out of a movie,” said Brooklyn resident Nick Corso, who was walking nearby when the crash occurred. “People were screaming, and I saw some sailors actually hanging from the rigging. It was horrifying. Everyone was panicking.”

Panic and Immediate Response

As the ship struck the bridge, crowds along the waterfront scattered in fear, unsure of what might happen next. The noise of the collision, combined with the sight of collapsing masts and injured crew members, triggered alarm throughout the area. Emergency services rushed to the scene, but heavy traffic delayed their arrival.

Kelvin Flores, a witness who was working nearby, described the chaos that unfolded on the streets following the accident. “I was just at work when I heard a loud bang. I ran outside and saw total commotion. Fire trucks and ambulances were trying to get through, but everything was blocked because of the traffic. It was a very serious situation.”

First responders used stretchers to evacuate injured crew members from the vessel. Nineteen people were confirmed injured, and two of them were listed in critical condition. Tragically, two lives were lost in the incident, both of whom were confirmed to be Mexican Navy personnel. New York City Mayor Eric Adams later confirmed the casualty numbers in a statement posted on social media platform X (formerly Twitter).

Structural Impact and Preliminary Findings

Despite the severity of the collision, initial inspections by the city’s transportation authorities confirmed that the Brooklyn Bridge did not suffer any major structural damage. After a brief closure, the bridge was reopened to traffic following a preliminary safety assessment.

Authorities believe the accident was caused by a combination of mechanical failure and a sudden power outage aboard the vessel. The U.S. Coast Guard, which is now leading the investigation alongside New York authorities, confirmed that the Cuauhtémoc lost all three of its masts during the collision. Fortunately, all crew members were accounted for, and no one fell into the water.

The Mexican Navy has also dispatched a technical team to cooperate with the ongoing investigation. The ship was towed from the scene later in the day for further examination and repairs.

A Storied Ship with a Long Naval History

The Cuauhtémoc is not an ordinary ship. Measuring 297 feet in length (approximately 91 meters) and 40 feet wide (12 meters), the tall ship is a fully rigged barque used by the Mexican Navy as a training vessel for naval cadets. With a mast height of 158 feet (48.2 meters), the ship’s clearance under bridges is always a delicate matter. According to the New York City Department of Transportation, the center clearance of the Brooklyn Bridge stands at 135 feet — far below the mast height of the vessel.

Launched in 1982, the Cuauhtémoc has served as a symbol of pride and tradition for the Mexican Navy. Each year, it sets sail at the end of academic instruction from the Mexican Naval Military School, carrying graduating cadets on a global voyage that marks the culmination of their training.

This year’s voyage began on April 6, departing from the port of Acapulco. The final destination was to be Iceland, a journey that would take the ship through multiple international ports. The stop in New York City was one of the voyage’s key ceremonial visits, part of its longstanding diplomatic and educational mission.

Political and Public Reaction

In Mexico, news of the fatal crash quickly spread, prompting an outpouring of condolences from the public and political figures alike. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum issued a solemn statement expressing her deep sadness over the loss of two naval personnel.

“We mourn the loss of these brave individuals who served their country with honor,” she said. “Our thoughts are with their families, friends, and fellow crew members during this difficult time.”

Back in New York, city officials stressed the importance of international cooperation in responding to the tragedy. “This is a sad day for both our city and our friends from Mexico,” said Mayor Eric Adams. “We extend our condolences and will continue working with Mexican authorities to support the crew and ensure a full investigation.”

Social Media and Eyewitness Footage

Within minutes of the crash, videos and photos of the incident began circulating online, with users posting dramatic footage of the collision and its aftermath. One widely shared video shows the moment the masts hit the bridge, followed by the sound of creaking wood and falling rigging. Viewers can be heard gasping in the background as sailors lose their balance and fall.

Another video taken from the Manhattan side of the river shows panicked spectators fleeing from the waterfront as pieces of the ship’s rigging collapsed onto the deck. These raw, first-hand images gave the public a chilling look into the scale of the accident.

The Road to Recovery

As the investigation continues, efforts are now underway to assist the injured crew members and repair the damaged ship. The Mexican Navy has not yet confirmed whether the Cuauhtémoc will continue its voyage or return to port for full repairs. For now, the priority remains on the wellbeing of the crew and understanding the precise causes of the accident.

Meanwhile, maritime authorities are also examining the bridge’s clearance and navigational protocols for tall ships passing through New York’s waterways. The fact that the Cuauhtémoc attempted to sail under a bridge with a 135-foot clearance despite having 158-foot masts has raised serious questions about route planning and communication.

The crash of the Cuauhtémoc into the Brooklyn Bridge stands as a tragic reminder of the challenges involved in navigating complex urban waterways particularly with large, tall-masted vessels. As two nations mourn the loss of life and the injuries sustained in this disaster, both the Mexican and American authorities remain committed to a transparent investigation and future preventive measures.

In the wake of the tragedy, what remains is a shared sense of sorrow, solidarity, and determination to honor those affected — and to ensure that such a maritime disaster does not happen again.

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