On the evening of May 17, 2025, the Mexican Navy’s training vessel Cuauhtémoc collided with the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City, resulting in the deaths of two crew members and injuries to at least 19 others. The incident occurred around 8:20 p.m. as the ship, carrying 277 people, was departing Manhattan on a goodwill tour.
Eyewitnesses reported that the Cuauhtémoc was moving in reverse when its masts struck the underside of the bridge, snapping all three. Videos captured the dramatic moment, showing sailors clinging to the rigging as the ship drifted into a pier.
Emergency responders, including the NYPD Harbor Unit and FDNY, arrived swiftly. Nineteen individuals received medical treatment, with four sustaining serious injuries; two later succumbed to their injuries.
The Brooklyn Bridge, a historic landmark completed in 1883, sustained no significant structural damage. Traffic was temporarily halted but resumed after inspections confirmed the bridge’s integrity.
The Cuauhtémoc, launched in 1982, serves as a training vessel for Mexican naval cadets and was on a 254-day tour visiting 22 ports in 15 countries. The ship had arrived in New York on May 13 and was scheduled to depart for Iceland.
Preliminary reports suggest a mechanical failure led to the loss of power, causing the vessel to veer into the bridge. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the incident.
Both New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed condolences to the victims’ families and praised the emergency response teams for their swift action.
