Mexican Navy Ship Cuauhtémoc Collides with Brooklyn Bridge: Multiple Injuries Reported
🚢 Incident Overview
On the evening of May 17, 2025, the Mexican Navy's tall ship, Cuauhtémoc, collided with the Brooklyn Bridge while navigating the East River in New York City. The ship's 147-foot mast struck the underside of the bridge at approximately 8:26 p.m., leading to the collapse of the mast and injuries to several crew members .
🧑✈️ Vessel Details
In 1982, the Mexican Navy launched the Cuauhtémoc, a sail training ship. . It serves as a goodwill ambassador, participating in international events and training exercises. At the time of the incident, the ship was on a global tour, having departed from Acapulco on April 6, 2025, with plans to visit 22 ports across 15 countries .
🏥 Casualties and Emergency Response
The collision resulted in injuries to at least 23 individuals, with three reported in critical condition. Emergency services, including the FDNY and NYPD Harbor Unit, responded promptly, transporting the injured to nearby medical facilities. Search and rescue operations were initiated to ensure all personnel were accounted for .
🏗️ Impact on the Brooklyn Bridge
While the bridge sustained some damage due to the impact, preliminary assessments indicated no major structural compromise. Traffic was temporarily halted but resumed after safety inspections were completed .
🔍 Ongoing Investigations
The Mexican Navy has launched an internal investigation to determine the cause of the collision. Preliminary reports suggest a possible power failure during the maneuvering process. U.S. authorities are collaborating to assess the incident and implement measures to prevent future occurrences .source
