A Mexican Navy training ship struck the Brooklyn Bridge Saturday night, killing two sailors and injuring 22 others.
According to Mexican authorities, the crash happened at about 8:20 p.m. as the Cuauhtémoc, moved up the East River with 277 crew members aboard.
Several videos of the crash captured the masts snapping and partially collapsing as they struck the bridge’s deck. The bridge was heavily trafficked at the time of the incident.
🚨#BREAKING: Watch as a Massive Mexican navy ship crashes into the Brooklyn bridge with 200 passengers on board
Watch dramatic footage as a Mexican navy ship carrying 200 people crashes into the Brooklyn Bridge in New York. The vessel’s 150-foot masts… pic.twitter.com/OpyKpIRiJQ
— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) May 18, 2025
Mexican authorities have identified the two sailors killed as América Yamilet Sánchez and Adal Jair Marcos. Both were reportedly on the same mast at the time of the crash. According to a Mexican government bulletin, 11 of the 22 injured are in critical condition.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams said the bridge did not suffer structural damage and reopened to traffic after inspection. “We are praying for everyone on board,” Adams said in a statement.
In a post on X on Sunday morning, Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum expressed her condolences, saying: We are deeply saddened by the loss of two crew members of the training ship Cuauhtémoc, who lost their lives in the unfortunate accident in New York.”
“Our solidarity and support go out to their families. The ministry of the navy, with the support of local authorities, is currently attending to the wounded,” Sheinbaum added.
The Cuauhtémoc, built in Spain in 1981, was on a 254-day voyage to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Mexico’s independence. It had just completed a public event at Pier 17 and was en route to Iceland when the crash occurred.
The National Transportation Safety Board, U.S. Coast Guard, and Mexico’s Navy are investigating the incident.
