Two reportedly dead after Mexican Navy training ship strikes Brooklyn Bridge

RNZ News

18-05-2025

By
Michelle Watson
and
Mauricio Torres
, CNN
Masted Mexican Navy training ship Cuauhtémoc sits, after colliding with the Brooklyn Bridge.
Photo:
AFP / AFPTV / Cecilia Sanchez
Two people died and 17 others were injured, when a Mexican Navy training ship hit the Brooklyn Bridge, New York City Mayor Eric Adams said on Sunday (US time).
"Earlier tonight, the Mexican Navy tall ship
Cuauhtemoc
lost power and crashed into the Brooklyn Bridge", Adams posted on X.
"At this time, of the 277 on board, 19 sustained injuries, two of which remain in critical condition, and two more have sadly passed away from their injuries."
Video showed the ship's mast hitting the underside of the bridge and breaking, as the vessel passed through, with pieces falling down towards the deck.
No visible damage could be seen on the bridge, which opened to traffic on Saturday night, after being shut briefly.
The sailboat hit the bridge about 8.26pm and people are being "aided", a New York Police Department spokesperson told CNN.
The Broolyn Bridge appeared to suffer no damage, after it was struck by the Mexican Navy vessel.
Photo:
CNN / AP / Kyle Viterbo
Of those injured, four suffered serious injuries, according to New York City Mayor Eric Adams. A source with knowledge of the crash previously told CNN 20 people were injured.
"During the departure manoeuvre of the Cuauhtémoc Sailboat in New York, an incident occurred with the Brooklyn Bridge that caused damage to the training ship, temporarily preventing the continuation of the training cruise," the Mexican Navy said in an X post.
"The status of the personnel and material is under review by naval and local authorities, who are providing support."
BREAKING: A Mexican Navy sailboat crashed into the Brooklyn Bridge Saturday evening, according to the New York Police Department and the Mexican Navy.
The crash resulted in multiple injuries being reported, the NYPD said.
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The ship was on a training cruise, which took place every year, Mexican Navy spokesman Captain Juan Caballero told CNN, adding that the navy was working to determine how many people were on the vessel.
Video from CNN affiliate WABC showed the vessel stopped at the base of the bridge and a crew on a tugboat responding.
All lanes of the Brooklyn Bridge were briefly closed in both directions after the incident, but had reopened as of 10.30pm, according to New York emergency officials.
"While inspections will remain ongoing, there are no signs of structural damage to the Brooklyn Bridge at this time," according to Fabien Levy, a spokesperson for Mayor Adams.
NYPD told residents to avoid the area of Brooklyn Bridge, South Street Seaport in Manhattan and Dumbo in Brooklyn.
"Expect heavy traffic and a large presence of emergency vehicles in the surrounding area," police said on X.
- CNN