Training vessel Cuauhtémoc crashes into Brooklyn Bridge with over 270 people onboard; four seriously injured, investigation ongoing
New York City, May 17 — A Mexican Navy training ship carrying more than 270 people struck the Brooklyn Bridge on Saturday night, injuring at least 19 individuals and prompting an emergency rescue operation, city officials confirmed.
The vessel involved, the Cuauhtémoc, collided with the iconic structure just before 9 p.m. local time while sailing north along the East River. The incident resulted in serious damage to the ship, temporarily halting its training cruise. Authorities say four people sustained serious injuries, though no one went overboard.
The Mexican Navy acknowledged the mishap in a statement, noting the incident has disrupted their current training mission. “The status of personnel and equipment is being reviewed,” the statement read. “The Navy reaffirms its commitment to safety, transparency, and officer training.”
New York City Mayor Eric Adams, speaking at a press briefing, confirmed that emergency responders were swiftly on the scene. The FDNY reported 277 individuals were onboard the ship at the time of the crash, with all currently accounted for.
Footage posted on social media shows the ship’s towering mast colliding with the bridge, sending splinters of the upper rigging flying. Another image captured passengers clinging to the mast following the impact.
The NYPD deployed divers to assist in evacuations and transported the injured to local hospitals. Mark Levine, Manhattan Borough President, confirmed via X that the Department of Transportation is currently assessing the structural integrity of the bridge. Early evaluations indicate that the bridge will remain open.
Support zones for passengers have been established at Pier 16, Marine 6, and Brooklyn Bridge Park.
The Cuauhtémoc, constructed in 1981 in Bilbao, Spain, serves as a maritime training vessel for future Mexican Navy officers. It had been docked at Pier 17 earlier this week for public tours as part of its goodwill visit to New York.
The U.S. Coast Guard, FDNY, and NYPD are jointly investigating the cause of the crash. Updates are expected as authorities gather more information.