How 277 people were aboard when a Mexican Navy ship hit the Brooklyn Bridge

A tragic maritime accident unfolded in New York City Saturday evening as the Mexican Navy’s training vessel Cuauhtémoc collided with the iconic Brooklyn Bridge, killing two crew members and injuring at least 19 others, according to Mayor Eric Adams.

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Mexican Navy ship Cuauhtémoc crashes into Brooklyn Bridge: 2 dead, 19 injured. Power loss blamed. NYC warns public to avoid affected areas.

‎AP

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‎The Cuauhtémoc, a 297-foot-long sailing ship used for naval cadet training, was on a goodwill mission with 277 individuals aboard when it lost power and struck the underside of the bridge. The ship’s towering masts clipped the structure, snapping and crashing onto the deck where crew members were stationed.

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‎Footage of the incident shows the dramatic moment the vessel’s rigging made contact with the Brooklyn Bridge as stunned onlookers along the South Street Seaport and Brooklyn’s DUMBO district fled the waterfront in panic. Emergency responders quickly descended on the scene, and the injured were transported to local hospitals. Two victims remain in critical condition.

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‎Mayor Adams confirmed via X (formerly Twitter) that no major structural damage was sustained by the bridge and that no individuals fell into the East River. The U.S. Coast Guard later stated all personnel aboard the Cuauhtémoc have been accounted for.

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‎The New York Police Department cited a mechanical failure and sudden power outage as likely causes for the collision. The vessel was eventually towed away from the crash site.

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‎The Cuauhtémoc, commissioned in 1982 and often dubbed “The Ambassador and Gentleman of the Seas,” had set sail from Acapulco on April 6 as part of its annual cadet training voyage, with Iceland as its final destination. The Mexican Navy reported that an investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the incident.

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‎Authorities have advised the public to avoid the area surrounding Brooklyn Bridge due to ongoing emergency activity and traffic disruptions.

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‎This unprecedented event marks one of the most serious maritime incidents involving a foreign navy vessel in New York waters and has sparked global concern and diplomatic engagement.