Mexican Navy Tall Ship Collides with Brooklyn Bridge, Killing 2 Crew Members
The Brooklyn Bridge itself sustained minimal structural damage and was closed for about 40 minutes before reopening
A Mexican Navy training tall ship, the Cuauhtémoc, crashed into the Brooklyn Bridge on the evening of May 17, 2025, resulting in the deaths of two crew members and injuring 19 others, with two in critical condition.
The incident occurred around 8:20 p.m. local time as the ship was departing from Pier 17 in New York City, heading toward Iceland on a global goodwill voyage.
A Mexican Navy training ship crashed into Brooklyn Bridge in New York, good job guys
— Enguerrand VII de Coucy (@ingelramdecoucy) May 18, 2025
pic.twitter.com/nyqf413fch
The ship lost power before the collision, causing its three tall masts, which were too high to clear the bridge, to strike and break against the underside of the bridge, with debris falling onto the ship’s deck.
The Cuauhtémoc was carrying 277 people at the time. Fortunately, no one fell into the water, and no rescue operations were required, as all injuries occurred inside the ship.
The two fatalities reportedly fell from one of the masts during the collision.
The Brooklyn Bridge itself sustained minimal structural damage and was closed for about 40 minutes before reopening.
Following the incident, a safety zone was established around the ship’s mooring location near Pier 36 on the East River, with reduced vessel speeds required nearby and continuous NYPD surveillance.
Earlier tonight, the Mexican Navy tall ship Cuauhtémoc lost power and crashed into the Brooklyn Bridge.
— Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) May 18, 2025
At this time, of the 277 on board, 19 sustained injuries, 2 of which remain in critical condition, and 2 more have sadly passed away from their injuries. pic.twitter.com/mlaCX0X8Mh
The Coast Guard and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the cause of the crash, with preliminary suggestions pointing to mechanical failure as a contributing factor.
