Mexican Navy Training Ship Collides with Brooklyn Bridge in New York

On a warm spring evening, stunned onlookers watched as a Mexican Navy training ship, adorned with festive lights and sails furled, attempted to pass under the Brooklyn Bridge — only for the vessel's tall masts to be sheared off by the structure, crashing into the East River below.

In a statement, the Mexican Navy confirmed that 22 people aboard the ship were injured, including three critically. While some U.S. media outlets reported that sailors may have been in the rigging during the collision, the Navy stated that no one fell into the water and no rescue operations were necessary.

Victims were transported to local hospitals, according to The New York Post.

Roughly 200 people were on board the Cuauhtémoc, a barque built in 1982 with masts reaching 48.2 meters (158 feet), when the incident occurred. The ship was reportedly conducting a training exercise at the time.

In a separate statement posted on X, the Mexican Navy described the incident as a “mishap” and reiterated its commitment to personnel safety, operational transparency, and the continued excellence in training future naval officers.