(Rightallegiance.com) – A tragic maritime accident occurred on the evening of May 17, 2025, when the Mexican Navy’s tall ship, Cuauhtémoc, collided with the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City. The incident resulted in the deaths of two crew members and injuries to at least 19 others.
The Cuauhtémoc, a 150-foot training vessel carrying 277 individuals, was departing from Pier 17 en route to Iceland when it experienced a mechanical failure. This malfunction caused the ship to lose control and its masts to strike the underside of the Brooklyn Bridge around 8:30 p.m.
Emergency responders, including the NYPD Harbor Unit and the FDNY, quickly arrived at the scene. All individuals on board were accounted for, and the injured were transported to local hospitals. Among the injured, two remain in critical condition.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams confirmed that preliminary inspections indicated no major structural damage to the Brooklyn Bridge, which has since been reopened to the public.
The Mexican Navy acknowledged the incident and has halted the Cuauhtémoc’s training cruise pending further assessment. President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed her condolences to the families of the deceased crew members.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched an investigation into the collision to determine the exact cause and to prevent future occurrences.
The Cuauhtémoc, built in 1982, serves as a training vessel for the Mexican Navy and is often used for international goodwill tours. The ship had been docked at the South Street Seaport Museum prior to the incident and was open for public tours.
This incident has raised concerns about maritime safety and the protocols in place for navigating large vessels through busy urban waterways. Authorities are urging caution and adherence to safety guidelines to prevent similar tragedies in the future.