On Sunday, May 18, 2025, a significant incident occurred in New York City when the Cuauhtémoc, a majestic Mexican Navy training ship, collided with the historic Brooklyn Bridge. The collision took place at approximately 8:20 p.m. while the ship was docked at Pier 35. Eyewitnesses reported a scene of chaos as the vessel, adorned with a large Mexican flag, struck the bridge, prompting immediate concern for the safety of those aboard.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams confirmed via social media that the 142-year-old bridge sustained no major damage. However, the incident resulted in at least 19 individuals aboard the Cuauhtémoc requiring medical attention. Tragically, two of the four persons who suffered serious injuries succumbed to their wounds, a fact that Mayor Adams conveyed in his updates. Remarkably, no injuries were reported among the pedestrians or motorists on the Brooklyn Bridge at the time of the incident.
Videos captured during the incident show heavy traffic on the Brooklyn Bridge at the moment of impact. Witnesses such as Sydney Neidell and Lily Katz recalled the harrowing experience of watching the ship collide with the bridge while they were outdoors enjoying the sunset. “We saw someone dangling, and I couldn’t tell if it was just blurry or my eyes,” Katz described. They managed to zoom in with their phones, revealing a crew member suspended from the rigging for a lengthy duration before a rescue operation could be executed.
Another eyewitness, Nick Corso, initially aimed to capture the picturesque backdrop of the ship and the bridge but instead was met with a cacophony of sounds resembling a snapping twig. As panic ensued and people began to flee, Corso saw several crew members precariously hanging from the masts of the ship, prompting him to question the reality of the situation: “I didn’t know what to think, I was like, is this a movie?”
The Mexican Navy later issued a statement via the social platform X, confirming that the Cuauhtémoc was indeed a training vessel, with a total of 22 reported injuries. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed her condolences for the two deceased crew members, stating, “Our solidarity and support go out to their families.” Furthermore, Adm. Raymundo Pedro Morales Ángeles, Mexico's naval secretary, assured the public that the navy would conduct a thorough and transparent investigation into the incident and thanked the first responders in New York for their swift action.
The Brooklyn Bridge, an iconic structure that opened in 1883, boasts a main span of nearly 1,600 feet (490 meters), supported by two impressive masonry towers. It accommodates over 100,000 vehicles and approximately 32,000 pedestrians daily, making it a vital thoroughfare and a significant tourist attraction. Following the collision, city officials paused traffic on the bridge but permitted it to resume after conducting safety inspections.
According to New York Police Department Special Operations Chief Wilson Aramboles, the Cuauhtémoc had recently departed from a Manhattan pier and was intended to navigate out to sea, not toward the bridge. Initial reports suggest that a mechanical failure may have caused the ship to lose power, although authorities have emphasized that this information remains preliminary. Videos from the scene depict a nearby tugboat, which may have played a role in the vessel's recovery.
As midnight approached, the damaged ship was slowly towed up the East River by a fleet of tugboats, eventually passing under the Manhattan Bridge before docking at a pier. Throughout this ordeal, onlookers gathered on the waterfront, captivated by the unfolding events.
Each year, the Cuauhtémoc embarks on a journey at the conclusion of classes at the naval military school to complete cadets’ training. This year, the ship departed from the Mexican port of Acapulco on April 6 and arrived in New York City on May 13, where it welcomed visitors for several days, as confirmed by the Mexican consulate. The ship is set to visit 22 ports across 15 nations over the course of 254 days, with 170 of those days spent at sea.
