On May 17, the Mexican Navy tall ship Cuauhtémoc veered off course and collided with the Brooklyn Bridge, resulting in the deaths of two sailors and injuries to over a dozen others. The ship’s masts, adorned with decorative lights, were sheared off upon impact as it failed to clear the bridge. Videos captured the chaotic scene, showing naval cadets in white uniforms desperately hanging from crossbeams, while bystanders at the bridge’s base fled in panic.
Of the 277 individuals on board the Cuauhtémoc, 22 sustained injuries, with three in serious condition. The U.S. Ambassador in Mexico expressed condolences and indicated ongoing communication with the Mexican government to render support amid the crisis.
Investigators are currently analyzing the incident’s causes. New York City Mayor Eric Adams stated that the Cuauhtémoc lost power moments before the crash, which occurred around 8:20 p.m. ET. This incident follows a similar maritime tragedy from the previous year, when another vessel lost power and caused a deadly collision with the Key Bridge.
The Cuauhtémoc had arrived at New York’s Pier 17, where it was open for public visits from May 13 to 17. It was reportedly supposed to head south from the harbor toward Iceland but mistakenly sailed under the Brooklyn Bridge. Despite the ship’s collision, New York City transportation officials confirmed that the bridge sustained no major damage, allowing traffic to resume in both directions shortly after the incident.
The Cuauhtémoc, originally launched in 1982 and named after the last Aztec emperor, is a 300-foot steel-hulled barque known for its role in Mexican maritime diplomacy.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image of the presented article.
