A Mexican Navy training vessel, the Cuauhtémoc, struck New York City's historic Brooklyn Bridge on Saturday night, killing two people and injuring 19 others. The incident occurred as the ship—adorned with lights and a large Mexican flag—attempted to pass beneath the bridge during its departure from New York Harbor, shearing off its 147-foot masts.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams confirmed the fatalities and injuries in a social media post, noting that no one fell into the water during the collision. A police official cited potential mechanical issues as the cause, though investigations remain ongoing. The 141-year-old bridge, a vital transportation link and tourist landmark, sustained no major structural damage and reopened after safety inspections.
Viral videos captured the chaotic aftermath, showing naval cadets clinging to the ship's crossbeams and bystanders fleeing the area near Manhattan's South Street Seaport. The Cuauhtémoc, built in 1981 and named after the last Aztec emperor, had been docked in New York for a public visit co-hosted by the South Street Seaport Museum. It was en route to Iceland at the time of the crash.
Mexico's Foreign Ministry stated that its ambassador to the U.S. was assisting affected crew members, while local authorities coordinated response efforts. The vessel carried 277 people, primarily naval trainees, during the ill-fated voyage.
