A festive goodwill voyage turned tragic Saturday night as the Mexican Navy’s tall ship Cuauhtémoc collided with the Brooklyn Bridge, killing two crew members and injuring at least 19 others in a harrowing maritime accident that stunned onlookers and halted traffic on one of New York City’s most iconic landmarks.

Chaos on the East River

The incident unfolded just after 8:20 p.m. as the Cuauhtémoc, a majestic three-masted barque and a symbol of Mexican naval tradition, attempted to depart New York Harbor for the next leg of its international training mission. According to officials, the vessel lost power and propulsion while maneuvering on the East River, leaving it vulnerable to the strong current that swept it directly toward the Brooklyn Bridge’s Brooklyn-side abutment.

Eyewitnesses described a surreal and chaotic scene as the ship’s towering 147-foot masts struck the underside of the bridge-well below the bridge’s maximum clearance of 135 feet-snapping the masts one after another with a series of sharp cracks that echoed across the waterfront. Sailors, many in crisp white uniforms, were seen clinging to the rigging and crossbeams as the masts collapsed. Two crew members stationed high on the masts were thrown onto the deck by the force of the impact and later pronounced dead at local hospitals.

Immediate Aftermath and Rescue

As the rigging and sails tumbled, panic erupted both on the ship and among crowds gathered along the riverbank. “There was lots of screaming, some sailors hanging from the masts,” one Brooklyn resident told reporters, recalling the confusion and fear as the vessel lurched to a stop and police boats rushed to the scene.

Despite the dramatic collision, all 277 people onboard were accounted for, and no one fell into the water. Emergency responders treated at least 19 injured crew members, including four in critical condition, for injuries ranging from broken bones to severe trauma. The ship, flying a large Mexican flag, was eventually towed to Pier 35, where its shattered masts and tangled rigging were visible in the morning light.

The Bridge and the Investigation

Remarkably, the Brooklyn Bridge-opened in 1883 and a vital artery for both vehicles and pedestrians-sustained no major structural damage. After an overnight inspection, city officials reopened the span to traffic and pedestrians. The National Transportation Safety Board has launched a formal investigation into the causes of the accident, with early reports pointing to mechanical failure and a sudden loss of power as contributing factors.

Reaction and Reflection

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed deep sorrow for the loss of life, offering condolences to the families of the fallen sailors and gratitude for the support provided by New York authorities. The Mexican Navy, which has used the Cuauhtémoc as a training vessel and goodwill ambassador since 1982, pledged full cooperation with the investigation and support for the affected crew members.

The Cuauhtémoc, renowned for its global voyages and as a floating classroom for generations of naval cadets, now sits damaged and silent at the Manhattan pier-a stark reminder of both the beauty and the peril of life at sea.

“We are profoundly saddened by the loss of two members of the Cuauhtémoc Training Ship, who tragically lost their lives in the unfortunate incident in New York Harbor,” President Sheinbaum wrote on social media. “Our condolences and support are extended to their families”.

As the investigation continues, the maritime community mourns the loss and reflects on the risks faced by those who serve at sea, even in the heart of a bustling metropolis.