Mexican Navy Training Ship Collides with Brooklyn Bridge in New York

BROOKLYN, N.Y. — A Mexican navy sailing ship grazed the Brooklyn Bridge on Saturday during a promotional tour, brushing the iconic structure’s top mast while sailing through the East River.

Reports from the New York Fire Department indicate that authorities are responding to injuries; however, specifics about the number of casualties or their locations remain unclear.

Eyewitness accounts captured the moment when three masts of the ship snapped and partially collapsed onto the bridge. Videos also revealed heavy traffic on the span at the time.

The vessel, adorned with a large Mexican flag, drifted toward the river’s edge as onlookers moved away from the shore.

In a statement on social media, the Mexican navy confirmed that the Cuauhtemoc, an academy training vessel, was involved in an incident with the Brooklyn Bridge, which halted its journey.

The navy stated that evaluations of personnel and materials are underway, with local authorities assisting the ship and crew.

The Secretary of the Navy emphasized its commitment to personnel safety and transparency in operations, aiming for exemplary training for future officers.

The Brooklyn Bridge, with a main span of nearly 1,600 feet, facilitates the daily passage of over 100,000 vehicles and 32,000 pedestrians, serving as a major tourist destination.

The Cuauhtemoc, measuring approximately 297 feet long and 40 feet wide, first set sail in 1982. Each year, it embarks at the end of the naval military school year to complete cadets’ training.

This year, it departed from Acapulco on April 6 with 277 people onboard, according to the Mexican Navy. The ship’s itinerary included visits to 22 ports in 15 nations, spanning a total of 254 days at sea and in port.

The planned destinations featured stops in Kingston, Havana, Cozumel, and New York, along with Reykjavik, Bordeaux, Dunkirk, and Aberdeen.

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