Brooklyn Bridge accident kills two Mexican Navy cadets
Media reports have confirmed that two people died and at least 22 others were injured after the Mexican Navy training ship Cuauhtémoc collided with the Brooklyn Bridge in New York on 17 May 2025.
According to the New York City Police Department, the vessel lost power while manoeuvring, resulting in the masts striking the bridge and partially collapsing.
The ship was carrying 277 people at the time of the incident, which occurred as it passed under the Brooklyn Bridge in turbulent tidal conditions.
Eyewitnesses describe panic and chaos at the scene
Multiple media outlets have shared footage showing the Cuauhtémoc’s masts striking the bridge structure, with sailors falling and debris crashing onto the deck.
Brooklyn resident Nick Corso told AFP: “There was lots of screaming, some sailors hanging from the masts.”
According to the Guardian, Sydney Neidell and Lily Katz reported seeing one person dangling from the rigging for around 15 minutes before being rescued.
Kelvin Flores, speaking to the BBC, described the area as full of “commotion and a lot of chaos,” with emergency services struggling to reach the ship due to heavy traffic.
Emergency services conduct complex rescue operation
FDNY Commissioner Robert S. Tucker said in a press briefing that fire, police, and EMS units coordinated a large-scale response from both sides of the East River.
Tucker stated: “We didn’t know how many were injured, so we had to prepare for the worst.”
He added: “Our Marine units got out there, picked up Rescue 2 and Rescue 4, brought them out to the vessel. They started to remove and treat the aided.”
The operation included the establishment of a casualty collection point at Pier 16 in Manhattan, where 27 individuals were assessed and transported to hospital.
FDNY describes coordinated multi-agency response
FDNY Commissioner Robert S. Tucker explained that the response began at approximately 8:20pm when reports came in that a vessel had struck the Brooklyn Bridge.
He said: “We had a second alarm assignment respond. Our Marine Division did an absolutely amazing job in cooperation with our partners at the NYPD.”
Tucker noted that initial concerns included potential persons in the water and unknown casualty numbers.
He added: “We had to prepare for the worst.”
The response was divided between both the Brooklyn and Manhattan sides of the river.
A casualty collection point and EMS staging area were established at Pier 16 on the Manhattan side.
Tucker said EMS and rescue personnel were transported to the vessel to begin immediate triage and treatment.
He emphasised the importance of deploying medical teams directly to the scene: “It’s critical for us to both get our rescue personnel out there and our EMS personnel.
“That way, we can start to do those types of treatments that might save their lives once we get them to shore.”
He concluded that this type of integrated emergency response is why the city drills for complex incidents, citing a recent exercise on Fire Island.
Mexico confirms fatalities and cancels ship’s tour
President Claudia Sheinbaum posted on social media: “We are deeply saddened by the loss of two crew members of the training ship Cuauhtémoc, who lost their lives in the unfortunate accident in New York.”
The Mexican government identified the two deceased as cadets Adal Jair Marcos and América Yamilet Sánchez.
A bulletin from the Mexican Navy stated that 11 of the injured were in critical condition and confirmed the cancellation of the remainder of the ship’s scheduled international tour.
The vessel was originally en route to Iceland with planned stops including Aberdeen and London as part of a 200th anniversary tour marking Mexico’s independence.
Mexican Navy training ship Cuauhtémoc crashes in New York: Summary
Two people were killed when the Mexican Navy ship Cuauhtémoc struck the Brooklyn Bridge on 17 May 2025.
Media reports stated the vessel lost power and collided with the structure, causing its three masts to break.
A total of 277 people were on board at the time of the incident.
New York authorities reported 22 injuries, with 11 in critical condition.
Emergency responders used marine units to reach the ship and evacuate casualties.
The Mexican Navy confirmed the two deceased were naval cadets.
The crash occurred during the vessel’s international goodwill tour.
The ship was towed away from the scene following the incident.
No damage to the Brooklyn Bridge was reported after inspection.
Mexico has cancelled the Cuauhtémoc’s planned 254-day voyage.