Accidents

Mexican Navy Ship Crashes into Brooklyn Bridge, 2 Dead

Published MAY 18 2025

Story

Above: People watch as a Mexican Navy training ship is pulled away after it slammed into the nearby Brooklyn Bridge in New York on May 17, 2025. Image credit: Anegela Weiss/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images

The Facts

A Mexican Navy training vessel, the Cuauhtémoc, collided with New York City's Brooklyn Bridge on Saturday evening when its 147-foot masts struck the iconic span, causing significant damage to the ship, killing two, and injuring 22 people, according to the Mexican government.
New York Post
Guardian
gob.mx
The vessel, carrying 277 people and displaying a large Mexican flag, reportedly experienced mechanical issues and power loss before the collision. River currents swept it toward the bridge during its departure for Iceland, causing it to lose control.
Daily Mail
Breitbart
The New York Times
Several crew members were standing on the masts as part of a traditional maritime ceremony called "manning the yards" when the collision occurred. Eyewitnesses reported seeing people dangling from harnesses for approximately 15 minutes before being rescued.
Daily Mail
New York Post
The New York Times
Emergency responders launched an immediate rescue operation, transporting victims to local hospitals. The damaged vessel was later moved to Pier 36 for assessment.
BBC News
Reuters
FOX News
The Brooklyn Bridge, which sustained minor damage during the incident, was temporarily closed but reopened after a preliminary inspection. No significant structural issues were reported.
CNN
The Associated Press
FOX News
The Cuauhtémoc, a training vessel built in 1982, had been visiting New York as part of a promotional tour for next year's Sail4th tall ship event. During its 254-day voyage, it was scheduled to visit 22 ports across 15 nations.
New York Post
The Associated Press

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The Spin

Government-critical narrative

The incident highlights serious safety concerns in New York's busy waterways, particularly regarding large vessels navigating under historic infrastructure. The mechanical failure of a prestigious naval ship in a high-traffic area and the presence of crew members in elevated positions during a ceremonial display created an unnecessarily dangerous situation that could have resulted in far more severe consequences.

CNN

Pro-government narrative

A technical malfunction caused the accident during a significant diplomatic and educational mission. The Mexican Navy's quick response, transparency in communication, and commitment to safety protocols helped prevent a potentially worse outcome. The incident simply demonstrates the inherent risks of maintaining maritime traditions and training future naval officers.