Tragic Incident: Mexican Navy Training Ship Hits Brooklyn Bridge
A tragic accident occurred on Saturday night when a Mexican Navy training vessel collided with the Brooklyn Bridge, resulting in the death of two individuals, as confirmed by New York City Mayor Eric Adams.
Collision Details
The naval ship, known as Cuauhtémoc, was adorned with lights and flew a grand flag as it approached the bridge, which spans the East River between Brooklyn and Manhattan. This vessel, named after the last Aztec emperor, was unable to clear the iconic bridge due to its towering 147-foot masts, which were sheared off upon impact.
Video footage shared online showed the immediate chaos, with naval cadets dressed in white clinging to the ship’s beams in the aftermath.
Casualties and Injuries
- Two fatalities: a female cadet and a male Marine.
- 22 individuals sustained injuries, with three in serious condition.
The Mexican Navy has disclosed via social media that out of the 22 injuries, 19 individuals were hospitalized, with some in critical care. Fortunately, none of the 277 people aboard were thrown into the river, so no diving rescues were necessary.
Current Investigations
Both the Mexican Navy and the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board are leading investigations to determine the exact cause of the incident. New York police have suggested that mechanical issues may have contributed to the crash, although no specific details were provided.
Bridge Status and Historical Context
The Brooklyn Bridge, a significant historical structure completed in 1883, sustained no major damage from the crash. After an initial inspection, traffic resumed across the bridge in both directions.
The following table provides a summary of the incident:
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Date | May 17, 2025 |
| Fatalities | 2 |
| Injuries | 22 (3 seriously) |
| Vessel Details | Cuauhtémoc |
Ongoing Support and Diplomatic Response
Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed that the injured cadets were recovering well. Meanwhile, Mexico’s ambassador to the U.S. and other key officials were offering their support and have been coordinating closely with local authorities in New York.
The ship, built in Spain in 1981 and utilized for training purposes, was concluding its New York visit and was set to make its subsequent journey to Iceland. The public had been encouraged to tour the vessel while it was docked.
