Mexican navy ship hits Brooklyn Bridge, killing 2 crew members

Mexican navy ship crashes into Brooklyn Bridge

Video shows people fleeing the busy stretch of sidewalk along the East River as a Mexican navy ship collides with the Brooklyn Bridge in New York.

A Mexican navy sailing ship struck the iconic Brooklyn Bridge Saturday evening, killing two crew members and leaving some sailors dangling in the air while waiting for help. 

Four people were seriously injured in the boat crash, with two of them dying at a hospital later, New York City Mayor Eric Adams said.

Was the Brooklyn Bridge damaged? 

What we know:

Adams said the 142-year-old bridge was spared major damage but at least 19 people aboard the ship needed medical treatment. No one on the bridge was injured. 

The ship, named the Cuauhtemoc, was passing through New York on a global goodwill tour when it hit the bridge and snapped its three masts. The vessel, which was flying a giant Mexican flag and had 277 people aboard, then drifted into a pier on the riverbank as onlookers scrambled away. 

The ship was scheduled to visit 22 ports in 15 nations over 254 days, 170 of them at sea. It had been in New York since May 13 and had welcomed visitors for several days. 

People watch the Mexican navy tall ship being tended by the authorities after it crashes into the Brooklyn Bridge in Manhattan, New York, USA on May 18, 2025. (Photo by Kyle Mazza/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Sailors could be seen aloft in the rigging on the damaged masts but, remarkably, no one fell into the water, officials said.

The Mexican navy said the Cuauhtemoc was an academy training vessel. 

What we don't know:

The cause of the collision was under investigation. 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.

Who are the victims?

Dig deeper:

According to FOX News, Veracruz Gov. Rocío Nahle García identified one of the deceased as a cadet as América Yamilet Sánchez of Xalapa in an X post Sunday.

"I deeply regret the passing of Veracruz cadet América Yamilet Sánchez," the governor wrote in a translated post. "My love, support, and solidarity go out to her family. My gratitude to the @SEMAR_mx and my wishes for a speedy recovery for those injured. Veracruz is with you."

‘Pandemonium’ erupts

What they're saying:

Just before the collision, Nick Corso, 23, took his phone out to capture the backdrop of the ship and the bridge against a sunset, Instead, he heard what sounded like the loud snapping of a "big twig." Several more snaps followed.

UPDATE: Brooklyn bridge ship crash

At least two people are dead after a Mexican navy sailing ship collided with the Brooklyn Bridge.

People in his vicinity began running and "pandemonium" erupted aboard the ship, he said. He later saw a handful of people dangling from a mast.

"I didn’t know what to think, I was like, is this a movie?" he said.

Brooklyn Bridge history

The backstory:

The Brooklyn Bridge, which opened in 1883, has a nearly 1,600-foot main span supported by two masonry towers. More than 100,000 vehicles and an estimated 32,000 pedestrians cross every day, according to the city’s transportation department. Its walkway is a major tourist attraction.

Traffic was halted after the collision but was allowed to resume after an inspection, city officials said.