A historic Mexican naval training ship hit the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City on Saturday night, causing injuries to 19 people, with four being seriously hurt, according to New York City Mayor Eric Adams. The incident occurred as the ship, carrying 277 individuals, experienced a mechanical issue that led it into the path of the bridge as it departed from Pier 17. The mayor explained that the ship’s pilot lost control, resulting in a collision that left two crew members injured while on a mast.
The collision took place around 8:20 p.m., with inspectors quickly dispatched to assess the condition of the bridge. Fortunately, initial evaluations indicated no significant damage to the structure, and the bridge remained open for traffic. Despite the chaos, no one fell into the water during the incident. The ship, identified as the ARM Cuauhtémoc, was on its way to Iceland at the time of the collision. Videos from the scene depicted the ship’s masts illuminated in vibrant colors as they struck the bridge, with individuals on the mast clinging on for dear life.
Despite the ship’s history as a training vessel for the Mexican Navy, it was not scheduled to participate in the upcoming Sail4th 250 celebrations. The event, set to commemorate America’s 250th anniversary in 2026, will feature a grand flotilla of tall ships from various nations. The Cuauhtémoc, originally named “Celaya” and built in Bilbao, Spain, has been sailing the seas since 1981 under Mexican Navy ownership. Following a major refit in 1995, the ship continued its global voyages, training officers, cadets, and sailors along the way.
The New York Police Department and the National Transportation Safety Board have launched investigations into the collision, urging the public to avoid the area surrounding the bridge. As the story unfolds, updates will be provided on the situation. Jonathan Dienst and Kevin Monahan, part of the NBC News team, will continue to cover the incident, along with contributions from Dennis Romero. Stay tuned for more details as they emerge.
