Officials Reveal Cause of Ship Smashing into Brooklyn Bridge, Injuring 19 People

NYC officials confirm power loss led to Cuauhtémoc vessel collision; 19 injured as investigation continues, but Brooklyn Bridge structurally safe.

New York, May 18 – The striking crash of a Mexican Navy training vessel into the Brooklyn Bridge on Saturday was the result of a mechanical failure, city officials revealed at a press conference shortly after the incident.

Mayor Eric Adams said the Cuauhtémoc ship — which had just departed from Pier 17 — experienced a sudden power loss, leading to the collision. “The pilot lost power of the ship,” Adams confirmed, adding that the vessel had been en route to Iceland at the time.

Chief Wilson Aramboles of the NYPD’s Special Operations Division corroborated the mechanical issue, while Ydanis Rodriguez, NYC’s Department of Transportation Commissioner, said an initial inspection showed no major structural damage to the bridge.

Aboard the ship were 277 passengers; 19 people were injured, including four seriously. Fortunately, no one fell into the East River during the mishap, officials said.

The Cuauhtémoc, a tall-masted sailing vessel built in Spain in 1981 and used for training cadets in the Mexican Navy, had arrived earlier in the week and was docked at Pier 17 for public tours. The vessel was in the middle of a ceremonial cruise when the incident occurred just before 9 p.m.

In a statement on X, the Mexican Navy acknowledged the “mishap,” noting damage to the ship that will temporarily halt its training mission. “The status of personnel and equipment is being reviewed by naval and local authorities, who are providing support,” the statement read.

Footage of the collision shared on social media captured the dramatic moment when one of the ship’s masts struck the Brooklyn Bridge. Parts of the upper structure were visibly damaged, and some crew members were seen clinging to the rigging in the aftermath.

Manhattan Borough President Mark D. Levine later reported that NYPD divers had completed their checks and all injured individuals were transported to local hospitals. He confirmed that while the bridge did not sustain significant damage, a full structural review by DOT is ongoing.

The Cuauhtémoc has long been a symbol of naval tradition and diplomacy for Mexico, known for its international voyages and open-deck tours. Its sudden halt in New York now prompts a deeper investigation into the cause of the power failure — and how such incidents can be prevented in the future.