A Mexican navy ship crashed into the Brooklyn Bridge late Saturday night, killing two sailors and critically injuring 11 others, according to Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum.
The Cuauhtémoc, a training vessel named after the last Aztec ruler, was on a promotional tour in New York when it lost power and collided with the iconic landmark.
Videos captured the terrifying moment the ship’s towering masts snapped on impact, scattering sailors in ceremonial uniforms across the yardarms. In total, 22 crew members were hurt, with nine reported in stable condition. The two fatalities were identified as navy cadets.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of two crew members in this tragic accident,” Sheinbaum said in a statement Sunday morning. “Our thoughts and support go to their families as we work to assist the injured.”
The Cuauhtémoc, carrying 277 people, was celebrating the 200th anniversary of Mexico’s independence with stops planned in 22 ports across 15 countries. Its journey, however, is now on hold as the investigation begins.
Photos from Sunday revealed the extent of the damage, with two masts shattered and a third hanging precariously.
The New York Fire Department confirmed responding to injuries, but no damage was reported to the bridge itself, which remained open to traffic.
Eyewitnesses described the chaos, with one person dangling from the ship’s rigging for over 15 minutes before being rescued.
Onlookers said they watched in shock as rescuers evacuated two injured sailors on stretchers.
The Cuauhtémoc, a nearly 300-foot-long sailing ship, has served as a training vessel since 1982, preparing cadets for naval service.
For now, it sits docked in New York, its voyage—and its crew—forever marked by this devastating accident.