On the evening of May 17, a devastating incident unfolded when the Mexican Navy’s tall ship, the Cuauhtémoc, collided with the Brooklyn Bridge, claiming the lives of two sailors and leaving 19 others injured. As the masts of the ship were torn off in the crash, authorities quickly sprang into action to contain the situation. New York Mayor Eric Adams expressed his sorrow, saying, “We are praying for everyone on board and their families, and are grateful to our first responders who swiftly responded, preventing the accident from becoming much worse.”
The Cuauhtémoc, a renowned training vessel used by the Mexican Navy for sail training and international goodwill tours, was en route beneath the Brooklyn Bridge around 8:20 p.m. ET when it lost power, causing the ship to drift into the bridge. Of the 277 people aboard, two sailors tragically lost their lives, while 19 others sustained injuries. Two of the injured were reported in critical condition. In response to the incident, the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the Mexican Embassy, along with Ambassador Esteban Moctezuma Barragán and consulate officials, are actively supporting the affected cadets and their families in New York.
The incident has shocked many, as videos surfaced showing the Cuauhtémoc passing beneath the Brooklyn Bridge at the moment the masts collided with the iconic structure. The masts, illuminated by decorative lights, were visible just before impact. As the ship hit the bridge, a car was seen crossing at the same moment, further intensifying the gravity of the event. The sight of the ship with its masts sheared off left many bystanders in disbelief.
The response from the New York Fire Department (FDNY) was swift, with marine units rushing to the scene upon receiving reports of people in the water. Michael Meyers, FDNY’s chief of training, detailed the immediate response in a statement, emphasizing the severity of the incident. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel worked tirelessly to treat the injured aboard the ship before transporting them to Pier 16, located near the Brooklyn Bridge in Lower Manhattan. At the pier, officials set up a casualty collection point and an EMS staging area to assess and transfer the victims to nearby hospitals. Those with severe injuries were promptly sent to medical care.
In the video footage, many sailors could be seen hanging from the ship’s crossbeams, a dramatic and harrowing image of the chaos as the vessel crashed into the bridge. Onlookers along the bridge, situated near New York City’s South Street Seaport, fled the area in panic as the ship neared the structure, unaware of the impending disaster.
The Cuauhtémoc, a steel-hulled, three-masted barque stretching 300 feet in length, was launched in 1982 and serves as a training vessel for fourth-year cadets from Mexico’s Heroic Naval Military School. Known as a diplomatic symbol of Mexico, the Cuauhtémoc and her crew have participated in numerous goodwill missions abroad. The ship had been scheduled to be in New York for a public visit from May 13 to May 17 at Pier 17, where visitors could tour the vessel for free. The consulate had shared this information, inviting the public to engage with the crew and learn more about their mission.
This tragic event underscores the unpredictable dangers that can arise even in the most meticulously planned operations. As investigations continue, the Mexican Navy, the U.S. authorities, and the victims’ families are left to cope with the aftermath of the accident. The loss of two young sailors and the injuries sustained by others have left the entire community in mourning, while first responders and city officials have been praised for their rapid and coordinated efforts in managing the crisis.
Such a tragic incident indeed. The collision of the Cuauhtémoc with the Brooklyn Bridge is heartbreaking, especially with the loss of two sailors and the injuries sustained by others. It’s commendable how quickly the authorities and first responders acted to prevent further tragedy. The fact that the ship lost power at such a critical moment raises questions about the technical checks and safety protocols in place. The videos of the masts colliding with the bridge must have been terrifying for those witnessing it in real-time. It’s also concerning that a car was crossing the bridge at the exact moment of impact—what if the situation had been even worse? How often are such training vessels inspected to ensure they’re safe for such journeys? This incident definitely calls for a thorough investigation to prevent anything like this from happening again.