A maritime tragedy struck New York City on the evening of Saturday, May 17, 2025, when the Mexican Navy’s tall training ship, Cuauhtémoc, collided with the iconic Brooklyn Bridge, resulting in two fatalities and at least 17 injuries, including three in critical condition.
The majestic vessel, adorned with lights and a large Mexican flag, was departing New York for Iceland as part of an international training tour. However, as it attempted to pass under the East River’s Brooklyn Bridge, its 45-meter masts proved too tall for the clearance and struck the bridge’s lower arch, causing parts of the ship to collapse.
According to New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who provided updates from the scene, 277 people were aboard the ship at the time of the incident. All injuries occurred onboard, with no one falling into the water, and emergency rescue operations were not required.
The Mexican Navy and the Mexican Embassy in the U.S. promptly dispatched officials to assist the cadets and coordinate with local authorities. A full investigation is now underway.
Despite the force of the impact, officials from New York City’s Department of Transportation confirmed that the Brooklyn Bridge sustained no significant structural damage. Traffic was reopened in both directions following an initial safety inspection.
Police sources suggested that a mechanical failure may have caused the ship to veer off course, but the precise cause remains under investigation. Videos circulating online show bystanders fleeing in panic as the tall ship collided with the bridge and drifted toward the dock near the South Street Seaport area.
The Cuauhtémoc, named after the last Aztec emperor, was built in 1981 in Spain and is one of the Mexican Navy’s most distinguished sailing ships, serving as a symbol of diplomacy and naval pride at international maritime events.
