Brooklyn Bridge

Tragedy on the East River: Mexican Navy Ship Collides with Brooklyn Bridge May 17, 2025 in New York

by
Mexican Navy Ship

Mexican Navy ship On the evening of May 17, 2025, New York City witnessed a harrowing maritime accident when the Mexican Navy training ship ARM Cuauhtémoc collided with the iconic Brooklyn Bridge, leaving two dead and over 20 injured. The incident, now dubbed the “Brooklyn Bridge ship crash”, has sparked global attention and raised questions about maritime safety in one of the world’s busiest waterways.

Key Details of the Brooklyn Bridge Crash

  1. What Happened?
  • The Cuauhtémoc, a 147-foot-tall sailing vessel, struck the Brooklyn Bridge at approximately 8:26 p.m. EDT while departing New York’s Pier 17. The ship, carrying 277 crew members and cadets, reportedly lost power and drifted into the bridge’s underside, shearing off its masts and rigging.
  • Dramatic videos captured the ship’s masts snapping (Mexican Navy Ship )as they hit the bridge’s 127-foot clearance zone, sending debris crashing onto the deck. Witnesses described sailors dangling from the rigging and panicked crowds fleeing Brooklyn Bridge Park.
  1. Casualties and Injuries
  • Two fatalities were confirmed: crew members who fell from the collapsing masts.
  • At least 19–25 people were injured, including four in critical condition. Victims suffered fractures and trauma from falling debris.
  1. Emergency Response
  • NYC’s FDNY, NYPD Harbor Unit, and U.S. Coast Guard swiftly launched rescue operations. Injured crew were transported to nearby hospitals, while the ship was towed to Pier 36 for inspection.
  • The Brooklyn Bridge was temporarily closed but reopened after inspections confirmed no structural damage.
Mexican Navy Ship
A Mexican navy ship it hit the Brooklyn Bridge on Saturday, May 17, 2025 in New York.

Why Did the Ship Hit the Bridge?

  • Mechanical Failure: Preliminary reports suggest a power loss left the vessel adrift in the East River’s strong currents.
  • Height Miscalculation: The Cuauhtémoc’s 147-foot masts exceeded the bridge’s 127-foot clearance at high tide. Experts question why the crew attempted passage without accounting for tidal changes.
  • The Mexican Navy ( Mexican Navy Ship ) acknowledged the incident, stating an internal investigation is underway alongside the NTSB’s probe.

The Cuauhtémoc: A Symbol of Mexican Naval Pride

  • Built in 1982, the Cuauhtémoc is a training ship for naval cadets and a diplomatic emblem. Its visit to NYC was part of an eight-month global tour promoting Mexico’s maritime heritage and the upcoming Sail4th event celebrating America’s 250th birthday in 2026.
  • The vessel’s striking appearance—illuminated with fairy lights and flying a massive Mexican flag—made it a spectacle during its stay at the South Street Seaport.

Eyewitness Accounts: Chaos and Heroism

  • Elijah West, a Brooklyn Bridge Park visitor, recounted: “People were screaming… I saw sailors hanging from the sails. Police boats arrived within minutes.”
  • Ismari Romero, who witnessed the crash from Pier 17, described the shift from celebration to terror: “We were singing goodbye… then the masts collapsed. Everyone cried.”

Broader Implications and Ongoing Updates

  • Safety Concerns: The crash highlights risks for tall ships in urban waterways. Retired Capt. Alfred McClaren criticized the crew’s failure to deploy anchors during the emergency.
  • Diplomatic Fallout: Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed grief over the deaths, while NYC Mayor Eric Adams pledged collaboration with Mexican authorities.

For live updates on the investigation, follow NYC Emergency Management or the Mexican Navy’s official updates.

Keywords Integrated: Brooklyn Bridge, Mexican Navy ship crash, ship hits Brooklyn Bridge, Cuauhtémoc ship, NYC news, boat crashes into bridge, Brooklyn Bridge accident, maritime safety, East River collision, May 17, 2025 in New York, Mexican Navy.

External Links: