The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched an investigation into the collision of a Mexican navy sailing ship with the Brooklyn Bridge, which resulted in at least two fatalities. The ‘go-team’ of specialized investigators was dispatched to New York following the incident, which occurred on Saturday. New York City Mayor Eric Adams reported that the ship, the Cuauhtémoc, lost power and crashed into the bridge, injuring 19 and killing two. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum extended condolences to the deceased and thanked New York authorities for their support. The U.S. Coast Guard and local emergency services swiftly responded, ensuring safety and coordinating with the NTSB’s ongoing investigation.
The cause of the collision remains under investigation. Initial reports suggest a mechanical failure led to the vessel losing power, though officials cautioned that the information is preliminary. The Cuauhtémoc, a training vessel for Mexican naval cadets, was en route to Iceland and had been in New York for several days, visiting multiple ports during its extensive itinerary. The ship’s departure from a Manhattan pier was supposed to be the start of its journey out to sea, but it veered off course, crashing into the bridge. The U.S. Coast Guard extended its condolences to the crew and families of the ship, stating that the incident was a ‘devastating tragedy’ in New York City. Following the collision, the Coast Guard immediately responded, launching a crew from Station New York and establishing a temporary safety zone, ensuring the safety and security of the Port of New York.
In witness videos, the ship—flying a large Mexican flag—could be seen traveling swiftly in reverse toward the bridge near the Brooklyn side of the East River. Then, its three masts struck the bridge’s span and snapped, one by one, as the ship kept moving. Videos showed heavy traffic on the span at the time of the 8:20 p.m. collision. No one on the bridge was reported injured. Sailors could be seen aloft in the rigging on the damaged masts but, remarkably, no one fell into the water. Officials reported no fatalities on the bridge. The broken boat was moved slowly up the East River, going under and past the Manhattan Bridge, aided by a series of tugboats, before docking at a pier.
The Brooklyn Bridge, which opened in 1883, has a nearly 1,600-foot main span supported by two masonry towers. More than 100,000 vehicles and an estimated 32,000 pedestrians cross every day, according to the city’s transportation department. Its walkway is a major tourist attraction. Traffic was halted after the collision but was allowed to resume after an inspection, city officials said. The incident has prompted a thorough investigation by the NTSB and international cooperation between Mexico and the U.S., emphasizing the importance of maritime safety and accident prevention.