Federal investigators are working to determine what caused a Mexican navy tall ship to crash into the Brooklyn Bridge, snapping all three of its masts, injuring dozens, and tragically killing two sailors.
The ship, named Cuauhtémoc, was in New York City as part of an international goodwill voyage when it collided with the bridge on Saturday evening. Multiple eyewitness videos show the vessel moving rapidly in reverse toward the bridge from the East River’s Brooklyn side. The towering masts struck the structure in succession, breaking apart as the ship continued its unintended course.
The National Transportation Safety Board has launched a formal inquiry, dispatching investigators who were expected to arrive by Sunday afternoon. The reason for the ship’s sudden reversal remains unclear, but preliminary information suggests a possible mechanical failure that left the vessel powerless as it drifted off course.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams reported that the historic 142-year-old bridge was largely unscathed, but confirmed that 19 people on board were treated for injuries. Four were seriously hurt—two of whom later died from their injuries.
The crash happened around 8:20 p.m., during a time of heavy bridge traffic. No injuries were reported among drivers or pedestrians on the bridge. After striking the bridge, the Cuauhtémoc—flying a massive Mexican flag and carrying 277 people—drifted into a riverside pier. Onlookers nearby scrambled for safety.
Despite the dramatic scene, which included sailors left hanging from snapped rigging high above the deck, officials said none of the crew members fell into the water.
Spectators shared their reactions from the moment of impact. One described seeing a person hanging from a harness for at least 15 minutes before being rescued. Another, preparing to take a sunset photo, said the breaking masts sounded like “a big twig snapping.” Panic quickly set in both on board and among the nearby crowd.
The Mexican Navy confirmed via social media that Cuauhtémoc is a training ship and stated that a total of 22 people were injured. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed condolences to the families of those who lost their lives, offering messages of support and solidarity.
Admiral Raymundo Pedro Morales Ángeles, Mexico’s naval secretary, stated that the navy is in contact with the victims’ families and has promised a transparent investigation. He also thanked New York’s emergency responders for their efforts.
Built in 1883, the Brooklyn Bridge features a nearly 1,600-foot main span and is one of the city’s busiest thoroughfares, used daily by over 100,000 vehicles and tens of thousands of pedestrians.
Following the crash, traffic on the bridge was temporarily suspended but resumed shortly afterward once structural safety checks were completed.
New York Police Department Special Operations Chief Wilson Aramboles stated that the Cuauhtémoc had just departed from a Manhattan pier and was meant to sail out to sea, not toward the bridge. Early reports indicate the vessel may have suffered a mechanical failure, though this remains unconfirmed. Footage showed a tugboat nearby during the incident.
By midnight, the damaged ship was carefully moved upriver, passing beneath the Manhattan Bridge with assistance from multiple tugboats. It eventually docked, while curious onlookers continued to watch from the shoreline.
The Cuauhtémoc, launched in 1982, is used to complete naval cadet training and had departed Acapulco, Mexico, on April 6. It arrived in New York on May 13, welcoming visitors as part of a global journey scheduled to cover 22 ports in 15 countries over 254 days—170 of them at sea.
Measuring nearly 300 feet long and 40 feet wide, with a 160-foot main mast, the tall ship has long served as a symbol of naval pride and diplomacy for Mexico.
