
A Mexican Navy training ship collided with the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City on Saturday, resulting in two deaths and 19 injuries among those aboard, according to Mayor Eric Adams.
“At this time, of the 277 on board, 19 sustained injuries, 2 of which remain in critical condition, and 2 more have sadly passed away from their injuries,” Adams announced on social media platform X. Despite the tragic human toll, the 142-year-old bridge reportedly escaped major structural damage.
Video footage captured the dramatic moment when the vessel attempted to sail beneath the iconic bridge connecting Brooklyn and Manhattan. The tops of all three masts struck the bridge’s underside, causing them to snap and partially collapse onto the ship’s deck.
The vessel, prominently displaying a large Mexican flag, drifted toward the riverbank after the collision as onlookers fled the shore. Sailors were visible in the damaged rigging following the impact.
Eyewitnesses Sydney Neidell and Lily Katz told The Associated Press they were watching the sunset when they witnessed the collision. “We saw someone dangling, and I couldn’t tell if it was just blurry or my eyes, and we were able to zoom in on our phone and there was someone dangling from the harness from the top for, like, at least like 15 minutes before they were able to rescue them,” Katz recounted. They also observed two individuals being removed from the ship on stretchers into smaller vessels.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed being “deeply saddened” by the crew members’ deaths, offering “solidarity and support” to their families via social media.
The Mexican Navy confirmed in a statement that their training vessel Cuauhtemoc was damaged in the accident, preventing it from continuing its journey. They noted that personnel status and material damage were under review by naval and local authorities.
Mexico’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that its ambassador to the United States and New York consulate officials were coordinating with local authorities to assist “the affected cadets,” though they did not specifically mention injuries.
The Brooklyn Bridge, completed in 1883, features a nearly 1,600-foot (490-meter) main span supported by two masonry towers. It serves as a vital transportation artery with over 100,000 vehicles and approximately 32,000 pedestrians crossing daily, according to city transportation officials. The bridge’s walkway is also a significant tourist destination.
The cause of the collision remains under investigation.
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