📅 May 18, 2025
📍 New York City
🚨 A Shocking Maritime Incident in NYC
A Mexican Navy tall ship crashed into the Brooklyn Bridge on Friday night, leaving 25 people injured and the vessel with serious mast damage. The ship, named ARM Cuauhtémoc, is a renowned sail training vessel that was navigating the East River when its 147-foot masts struck the bridge.
⏰ Timeline of the Incident
At approximately 8:26 p.m., as the ship departed from Pier 17, it collided with the lower structure of the bridge. Witnesses described hearing a loud crunch as parts of the ship’s rigging snapped and fell onto the deck.
🛳️ About the Ship: ARM Cuauhtémoc
The Cuauhtémoc is a barque-style training vessel used by the Mexican Navy to train cadets and represent Mexico internationally. It was launched in 1982 and is named after the last Aztec emperor. The ship was on a goodwill mission to visit 22 ports in 15 countries.
🏥 Injuries and Emergency Response
Of the 277 people onboard, 25 sustained injuries. Two individuals remain in critical condition. Thanks to the rapid response from New York emergency services, all injured were transported to local hospitals quickly, and no fatalities were reported.
🏗️ Damage to the Brooklyn Bridge
The NYC Department of Transportation inspected the Brooklyn Bridge and confirmed no structural damage to the bridge itself. Traffic, which was briefly halted, resumed after safety clearance was granted.
🔍 Investigation Underway
An investigation is being conducted by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in cooperation with the U.S. Coast Guard. Early reports suggest a mechanical failure may be to blame, though this has not been officially confirmed. The Mexican Navy has also pledged to carry out an internal review.
🇲🇽 U.S.–Mexico Coordination
Officials from both countries are working together following the accident. Rear Admiral Héctor López of the Mexican Navy stated:
“We are deeply concerned about the incident and are doing everything possible to support our personnel and cooperate fully with U.S. authorities.”