Mexican Navy Ship Collides with Brooklyn Bridge: 2 Dead, Over 20 Injured

A tragic maritime accident unfolded in New York on the night of May 17, as the Mexican Navy's training vessel Cuauhtémoc collided with the lower structure of the Brooklyn Bridge, resulting in the deaths of two crew members and injuries to more than 20 others.

The ship, carrying 277 people, was en route from Manhattan’s Pier 17 as part of a scheduled stop during its North Atlantic voyage. The vessel had been in New York to promote Sail4th, an international tall ship festival marking the 250th anniversary of American Independence in 2026.

According to the New York Office of Emergency Management, the accident occurred around 8:30 PM local time, when the ship unexpectedly veered off course while moving southbound through New York Harbor. It was reportedly attempting a refueling maneuver near the Brooklyn waterfront when it lost power and drifted into the bridge.

Mayor Eric Adams confirmed the fatalities shortly after midnight. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum also posted condolences on social media, identifying the victims as members of the Cuauhtémoc’s crew.

A statement from the Mexican Navy revealed that 22 people were injured—11 of them critically—while nine others are in stable condition.

Footage posted online shows the ship reversing under tugboat guidance before crashing into the bridge. Despite the severe impact, which snapped the ship's tall masts, the vessel remained upright and came to a stop near Brooklyn Bridge Park.

The Cuauhtémoc, built in Spain in 1982, is a barque-style sailing ship dedicated to naval cadet training and goodwill missions around the world.

Authorities are investigating the cause of the vessel’s power failure and how it came to strike one of New York’s most iconic landmarks.