Two killed as Mexican navy ship slams into Brooklyn Bridge

Two people are dead after a massive Mexican navy tall ship carrying 277 crew collided with the Brooklyn Bridge in New York. Another 17 are injured. See the video.

The Mexican navy tall ship that crashed into the Brooklyn Bridge apparently lost power shortly before the collision, according to the New York Police Department.

The hulking Cuauhtémoc, which holds a crew of 277 largely made up of cadets, appeared to lose control as it went backwards into the bridge and slammed its towering masts into the roadbed at about 8.30pm local time on Saturday night.

Two sailors were on top of one of the 147-foot masts when it struck the bridge.

Two people were killed and 17 were injured, including two critically, according to fire officials and sources.

Pictures from social media show crew members dangling from ropes after the Mexican Navy tall ship crashed in to the Brooklyn Bridge. Picture: Instagram

The finding of loss of power is only preliminary officials cautioned and the The National Transportation Safety Board is still investigating.

Officials said the ship was on its way out of New York on its way to Iceland when the disaster occurred.

A disabled Mexican Navy tall ship floats off Pier 35 on the Manhattan side of the East River on May 17, 2025 in New York City. The ship reportedly struck the Brooklyn Bridge. Picture: Getty

Many of the ship’s crew were high up in the sails waving goodbye to the large crowd that had gathered to farewell The Cuauhtémoc as it continued on its round the world journey to 22 ports in 15 countries when it collided with the bridge.

The ship reportedly struck the Brooklyn Bridge as it was travelling north. Picture; Stephanie Keith/Getty Images/AFP

The massive ship was on a goodwill visit to New York when it slammed into the bridge — toppling its huge masts into the deck in a horrifying scene that went viral around the world online.

Another view of the Mexican tail ship crashing into the Brooklyn Bridge pic.twitter.com/XVmwRYxFaI

— Karli Bonne’ 🇺🇸 (@KarluskaP) May 18, 2025

Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo released a statement expressing “sympathy and support” for the family of the crew members killed in the tragic crash.

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of two crew members of the Cuauhtémoc Training Ship, who lost their lives in the unfortunate accident in New York Harbor,” she wrote on X.

“The Navy, with the support of local authorities, is currently treating the wounded.

“I thank New York Mayor Eric Adams for all the support he has provided to our fellow citizens. We are monitoring the situation, and the Navy will continue to provide updates.”

The damaged vessel has been towed to a secure dock for inspection.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams confirmed the two sailors were on top of the mast when it hit the bridge — which has a maximum clearance of 135 feet.

As the three huge masts hit the legendary span, slowly, one by one, at least two crew members were standing at the top of them at the time, officials said. Some other crew members were seen dangling from damaged masts.

The Mexican Navy training ship collided with the Brooklyn Bridge. Picture: AP

“The boat was coming under the bridge, and there were sailors on top of the boat, the sails hit the bridge and then people were falling off of the boat sails,” said Elijah West, who witnessed the chilling crash at Brooklyn Bridge Park.

“It was crazy. We were standing under the bridge and we all started running. Then I saw people hanging from the sails. Police boats came around fast — about five minutes later. And then police guided the boat to the (Manhattan) bridge and started the rescue. It was a shock.”

Harrowing footage from the scene showed the high mast slamming the deck of the bridge and crashing dozens of feet below the deck. Other masts then appeared to go down after it.

Terrified onlookers standing at the Brooklyn park under the bridge could be seen bolting from the scene as the vessel headed for the green space.

Pedestrians walking along Brooklyn Bridge Park look on as a masted Mexican Navy training ship sits stranded near the Manhattan Bridge after colliding with the Brooklyn Bridge. Picture: AP

“She’s about to crash,” one startled witness could be heard saying in the footage.

“Oh s – t!”

First responders scoured the waters, but sources said no one fell in.

A New York Police Department harbour unit prepares to board the masted Mexican Navy training ship that collided with the Brooklyn Bridge. Picture: AP

Victims were transported to the Brooklyn Navy Yard, with those in critical condition being taken to a nearby hospital for additional treatment.

“We were celebrating and we were saying goodbye and singing,” said Ismari Romero, 43, who witnessed the ordeal from Pier 17 with her sister and other Mexicans who wanted to welcome the ship to the Big Apple and “make them feel like home.”

“We were all joyful, and they departed. And when they reached the Brooklyn Bridge, I believe they hit the bridge and the top collapsed. We were very scared. A lot of people were screaming, a lot of people were crying. They’re like, ‘How is this happening? How is this possible?’”

New York Mayor Eric Adams, right, disembarks a masted Mexican Navy training ship after boarding it with a New York Police Harbor Unit. Picture: AP

The bridge, which suffered minor damage, has since reopened to the public.

The vessel, built in Spain in 1982, was in New York City as part of a promotion for next year’s Sail4th tall ship event, which celebrates America’s 250th birthday.

The stop is just the third in the vessel’s eight-month voyage around the globe, which offers the Mexican cadets the opportunity to flex their sailing muscles in environments like Jamaica, Iceland, Portugal and more.

An NYPD boat approaches a disabled Mexican Navy tall ship as it floats between the Brooklyn and the Manhattan bridges on the East River. Picture: Getty Images via AFP

This year’s class boasts 175 cadets, the largest class the nation’s navy has seen yet.

“The classes are getting bigger and bigger. We just keep getting more and more people!” said Lt. Sg. Hugo Calvario, the ship’s orthopaedic surgeon.

“We had to leave almost 40% of the crew to take on more cadets,” he continued, meaning the trainees have to pick up the slack and take on more responsibilities.

The New York Post watched earlier this week as they skilfully climbed the dauntingly high ropes and stretched across the towers of the ship’s three masts to conduct what in English is known as “manning the yards” — a universal sign of respect that is done every time a ship enters a port.

It is expected to be one of 30 Class A International Tall Ships that will parade through the Harbor on July 4, 2026.

The sails of a disabled Mexican Navy tall ship fly as the subway passes over the Manhattan Bridge on the East River on May 17, 2025 in New York City. Picture: Getty Images via AFP

The Mexican navy released a statement after the wreck.

“During the sailing manoeuvre of the Cuauhtémoc sailboat in New York, a mishap occurred with the Brooklyn Bridge, causing damage to the training ship, preventing the continuation of the training cruise for the time being,” they said. “The status of personnel and equipment is being reviewed by naval and local authorities, who are providing support,” the organisation added. “The Navy reaffirms its commitment to personnel safety, transparency in its operations, and excellent training for future officers of the Mexican Navy.”

This article was originally published in the New York Post

Originally published as Two killed as Mexican navy ship slams into Brooklyn Bridge