Brooklyn Bridge

On the evening of May 17, 2025, New York City's iconic Brooklyn Bridge was the site of a dramatic maritime accident when the Mexican Navy's tall ship, Cuauhtémoc, collided with the bridge while navigating the East River. The incident occurred around 8:26 p.m., as the 297-foot-long training vessel, carrying approximately 277 personnel—mostly naval cadets—struck the underside of the bridge with its 147-foot masts.

Eyewitnesses described a chaotic scene as the ship's masts collapsed upon impact, causing parts of the rigging to fall and resulting in injuries to at least 23 individuals, with four reported in critical condition. Emergency responders swiftly arrived at the scene, transporting the injured to the Brooklyn Navy Yard and nearby hospitals for treatment. Notably, no one fell into the water during the incident.

The Cuauhtémoc, a training vessel built in 1982, had arrived in New York earlier in the week as part of a goodwill tour promoting the upcoming 250th U.S. Independence Day celebrations in 2026, including participation in the "Sail4th" event. The ship was on the third leg of its eight-month global voyage, which included visits to 22 ports across 15 countries.

The Daily Beast

Preliminary investigations suggest a possible power failure may have contributed to the collision. At the time of the incident, the ship's sails were not unfurled, and the vessel was navigating under power. The impact caused significant damage to the ship's masts, rendering the vessel temporarily inoperable.

The collision also raised concerns about potential structural damage to the Brooklyn Bridge, a historic landmark and vital transportation artery in New York City. City officials have initiated inspections to assess any damage to the bridge's integrity. As a precaution, road closures and traffic delays were implemented near the scene, with plans to tow the damaged vessel to Pier 36 for further evaluation and repairs.

AP News

New York Post

Community leaders and public figures, including New York Attorney General Letitia James, expressed concern and support for those affected by the incident. The New York Police Department and NYC Emergency Management are actively responding to the developing situation, ensuring public safety and coordinating the ongoing investigation.

The Daily Beast

The Mexican Navy has confirmed the accident and stated that both personnel and equipment are currently being assessed by naval and local authorities. They emphasized their commitment to safety, transparency, and training excellence while ongoing investigations continue.

As the city grapples with the aftermath of this unexpected event, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced in maritime navigation, especially in bustling urban waterways. The resilience of the crew and the swift response of emergency services highlight the importance of preparedness and coordination in ensuring safety on both land and sea.

Locals and tourists who witnessed the crash were stunned, many pulling out their phones to document the surreal scene unfolding against the backdrop of the Manhattan skyline.

“I come to the bridge almost every evening,” said Claire Bennett, a Brooklyn Heights resident. “But tonight, the air felt strange—like history was colliding with itself.”

Parents held their children close as sirens pierced the night, echoing across the water as emergency boats and helicopters swarmed the area.

Some onlookers described hearing a loud crack, followed by shouting from the ship’s deck as pieces of the tall masts splintered and fell.

New York’s maritime community has already started discussing safety upgrades and possible changes in how tall ships navigate under historic bridges.

Meanwhile, city engineers have begun evaluating if vibrations from the impact affected the bridge’s 141-year-old stone towers.

The Brooklyn Bridge, once a marvel of industrial ambition, now wears a new scar—one that speaks to the unpredictable nature of progress and tradition crossing paths.