Two people were killed and 19 others injured after a Mexican Navy training ship collided with the Brooklyn Bridge in New York after reportedly losing power, according to multiple reports. Some crew members were seen hanging from the masts as it hit the iconic landmark.
The Cuauhtémoc, built in Spain in 1982, was carrying 277 crew members at the time of the crash on Saturday. It was seen travelling swiftly toward the bridge near the Brooklyn side of the East River, when it collided with the bridge, causing three of its masts to snap and leaving some sailors dangling from harnesses.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams said the Brooklyn Bridge was spared major damage, but at least 19 people on the ship needed medical treatment after the crash. Two of the four people who received critical injuries later died, he announced on Sunday morning.
Adams said the ship lost power before the crash. “Earlier tonight, the Mexican Navy tall ship Cuauhtémoc lost power and crashed into the Brooklyn Bridge. 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," he said on X.
Video footage uploaded on social media showed a tall mast striking the bridge’s deck before plunging dozens of feet down onto the ship’s deck below. As the three-masted vessel hit the iconic New York landmark, two of the three masts studded with fairy lights collapsed, with passengers appearing to be standing directly underneath. Another video showed the bridge shaking from underneath as the ship slammed into it.
New York Police Department Special Operations Chief Wilson Aramboles said the ship had just left a Manhattan pier and was supposed to have been headed out to sea, not toward the bridge. He said an initial report was that the pilot of the ship had lost power due to a mechanical problem, though officials cautioned that information was preliminary.
The collision sparked panic among onlookers as people scrambled away. Sydney Neidell and Lily Katz, who were sitting outside to enjoy the sunset, said they saw someone dangling from high up on the ship.
“We saw someone dangling, and I couldn’t tell if it was just blurry or my eyes, and we were able to zoom in on our phone and someone was dangling from the harness from the top for like at least like 15 minutes before they were able to rescue them," Katz told The Associated Press.
Traffic was halted briefly after the collision with the Brooklyn Bridge, one of the busiest roads and a major tourist attraction, but was later allowed to resume after an inspection, according to city officials.
Earlier, Mexico’s foreign ministry said on social media that Mexico’s ambassador to the US and other officials were assisting affected cadets and had been in contact with local authorities.
