NEW YORK – What was meant to be a celebratory farewell turned tragic on Saturday night, as a majestic Mexican Navy tall ship, adorned with lights and proudly flying its national flag, struck the Brooklyn Bridge while departing New York City. The devastating impact claimed two lives and left at least 17 others injured.
The vessel, named Cuauhtémoc after the last Aztec emperor, is a sailing training ship often seen as a symbol of peace and friendship. Videos posted online showed the ship sailing gracefully across the East River, only to collide with the iconic arches of the Brooklyn Bridge near Manhattan. The masts—standing nearly 150 feet high—were too tall for the span. In seconds, what should have been a smooth voyage transformed into chaos as the top portions of the masts splintered and crashed down.
Among the 277 people aboard, many were young naval cadets—some seen clinging to the ship’s crossbeams in their pristine white uniforms in the moments after the collision. New York City Mayor Eric Adams shared early Sunday on social media that two lives were lost and two others remained in critical condition. The Mexican Navy confirmed that 22 people were injured, with 19 receiving care in local hospitals, three of them seriously hurt.
“No one was thrown overboard, thank God,” said a police official. “All the injuries happened on deck.” Authorities suspect mechanical failure may have played a role, but investigations are still underway.
Eyewitnesses near the South Street Seaport described the horrifying moment: a massive ship crashing into the bridge, a shuddering echo over the water, and crowds running for safety.
Despite the impact, New York City transportation officials confirmed that the 141-year-old bridge—an engineering marvel completed in 1883—suffered no significant damage. After a brief closure, traffic was reopened in both directions.
The Cuauhtémoc had docked in New York as part of a goodwill tour and was scheduled to head to Iceland. Its presence in the city had been co-hosted by the South Street Seaport Museum, which had welcomed the public aboard earlier that day.
Mexico’s foreign ministry has assured that officials, including the ambassador to the U.S., are working closely with local authorities and supporting the injured cadets.
What was meant to be a voyage of pride and friendship ended in heartbreak—a stark reminder of how swiftly joy can turn into sorrow on even the most beautiful of journeys.
