Mexican navy ship crash at Brooklyn Bridge kills 2, injures 17

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
Today 08:21

The Cuauhtemoc ship accident has involved a mast collapse and triggered ongoing rescue efforts in New York.

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Tug boats assist the Cuauhtémoc, a masted Mexican Navy training ship, toward Pier 35 after it collided with the Brooklyn Bridge, Saturday, May 17, 2025, in New York (AP)

A Mexican Navy ship crash at the Brooklyn Bridge has left two people dead and 17 others injured, New York City Mayor Eric Adams confirmed Sunday night.

“Earlier tonight, the Mexican Navy tall ship Cuauhtemoc lost power and crashed into the Brooklyn Bridge,” Adams stated on X. “At this time, of the 277 on board, 19 sustained injuries, 2 of which remain in critical condition, and 2 more have sadly passed away from their injuries.”

Earlier tonight, the Mexican Navy tall ship Cuauhtémoc lost power and crashed into the Brooklyn Bridge.

At this time, of the 277 on board, 19 sustained injuries, 2 of which remain in critical condition, and 2 more have sadly passed away from their injuries. pic.twitter.com/mlaCX0X8Mh
— Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) May 18, 2025

The vessel, part of a celebratory tour, was visiting New York when the incident occurred. According to the New York Post, the Cuauhtemoc suffered a power failure just before the Brooklyn Bridge collision, resulting in significant structural damage to the ship.

❗️🇲🇽⚓️🇺🇲 - The Mexican Navy's tall ship ARM Cuauhtémoc, a 1982 Spanish-built barque with 277 crew members, collided with the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City just before 9 PM.

One of the ship’s 150-foot masts struck the bridge, snapping and triggering a large-scale search and… pic.twitter.com/dEg1hM4Z8l
— 🔥🗞The Informant (@theinformant_x) May 18, 2025

As the vessel struck the bridge, one of its towering masts reportedly collapsed onto the deck, severely injuring several crew members. The Cuauhtemoc ship accident has been described as one of the most serious maritime incidents in the city in recent years.

Emergency response, rescue operations

Emergency crews launched a rapid response operation, with search-and-rescue teams retrieving individuals from the water. Those wounded were initially treated at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, while individuals in critical condition were transferred to a nearby hospital.

Authorities have not yet released the identities of the victims. An investigation is expected to determine the cause of the vessel’s power failure and evaluate any potential structural issues with the ship.

The New York maritime incident has raised concerns about port safety and emergency readiness during large-scale naval visits. Rescue efforts are ongoing, and city officials have urged residents to avoid the affected area.

The wider context

The tragic crash of the Mexican Navy ship Cuauhtemoc into the Brooklyn Bridge highlights growing concerns about the weakened state of emergency preparedness under US President Donald Trump's administration.

By cutting federal funding to critical maritime safety, infrastructure maintenance, and disaster response programs, Trump's policies have left cities like New York more vulnerable during large-scale emergencies.

These funding cuts have strained coordination between federal agencies and local authorities, delayed infrastructure upgrades, and reduced investment in search and rescue readiness. As a result, the response to incidents like this one, where lives are on the line and time is critical, can be slower and less effective, putting both civilians and first responders at greater risk.