The recent collision of the Mexican navy training vessel Cuauhtémoc with the Brooklyn Bridge on May 17, 2025, raises significant concerns regarding maritime safety and operational protocols. During a promotional tour in New York City, the ship struck the bridge while reportedly moving swiftly in reverse, leading to the snapping of its three masts and resulting in two fatalities and 22 injuries among the 277 individuals aboard . This tragic incident underscores the potential risks associated with naval training operations conducted in urban environments.
Two crew members of a Mexican Navy sailing ship died on Saturday night when the ship drifted directly into the underside of the Brooklyn Bridge, smashing its masts and rigging.
There were 277 people on board the ship, the Cuauhtémoc, which was on a good will tour, and everyone is believed to be accounted for, a Fire Department official said.
Mayor Eric Adams said in a social media post after midnight that two people had died, and that the ship had lost power before the crash.
According to Mexican Navy officials, a total of 22 crew members have been reported injured so far, with at least 11 of them in critical condition. Two people aboard the ship died as a result of the collision.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams weighed in on social media early Sunday morning about the deadly crash.
"We are praying for everyone on board and their families and are grateful to our first responders who quickly jumped into action, ensuring this accident wasn't much worse," Adams said in a post on X.
The Mexican navy said in a post on the social platform X that the Cuauhtemoc was an academy training vessel. It said a total of 22 people were injured, 19 of whom needed medical treatment.
The Brooklyn Bridge, which opened in 1883, has a nearly 1,600ft (490m) main span supported by two masonry towers.
More than 100,000 vehicles and an estimated 32,000 pedestrians cross every day, according to the city’s transportation department. Its walkway is a major tourist attraction.
Preliminary investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are underway to ascertain contributing factors such as turbulent waters or navigational errors that may have led to this collision . Despite minimal damage to the bridge itself, which allowed for swift reopening of traffic, this event has prompted a critical review of safety measures employed by naval vessels during public engagements. The Mexican navy has committed to a transparent investigation into the incident to address accountability and improve future operational standards .
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