Mexican Navy Ship Collides with Brooklyn Bridge: A Tragic Incident

In the evening of May 17, 2025, Mexican Navy's training ship, ARM Cuauhtémoc, collided with the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City, which was a tragic incident in which many people went to life and questioned maritime security. On May 18, 2025, on the basis of the latest updates till 6:52 pm, there is detailed information on what has happened, its effect and what is the situation now.

Mexican Navy Ship Collides with Brooklyn Bridge, Sparks Fly

What Happened with the Mexican Navy Ship and the Brooklyn Bridge

On Saturday at approximately 8:26 pm, when the Cuauhtémoc, a majestic three mast ship, moving towards Iceland as part of the global goodwill travel, was leaving the Pier 17 of South Street Seaport. The ship taking 277 crew members suddenly lost strength and steering control and collided with a pillar of Brooklyn Bridge. In the video, the creepy moment was imprisoned when approximately 147 feet of the ship collided from the bottom of the bridge, which has almost 127 feet with the high tide. Mast broke, thereby falling down to the deck on the debris. Eyewitness Flavio Morera, who was strolling on Brooklyn resort, described unrealistic view:

This collision was considered due to mechanical failure, after which the emergency services of New York responded immediately. National Transport Safety Board (NTSB) and Mexican Navy are now investigating, and hopefully the travel data recorder will be detected whether it was wrong - whether it was a malfunction in the ship's system, or the streams of the river. The factors were

Information about losing and injured

Sadly, two people lost their life in this incident. During the collision, two crew members fell from a mast of the ship and they were declared dead in the nearest hospital. Mexican Navy said that 22 people are injured, out of which 19 need treatment in the hospital. The condition of three of them remains serious and nine condition is stable. All were injured Crew Members and no loss of any citizen or bridge user. In the video, the naval cadet appeared sticking to the mast - a formal tradition during departure from the harbor - which could spoil the result on the breakdown of the masts. Thankfully, all 277 personnel have been detected and no one dropped in the eastern river, which led to the initial rumors.

Mexican President Claudia Shinbam expressed his grief, "We are very sad with the death of two crew members. Our sympathy and support are with their families." Mexican Naval is providing assistance and coordinating with US officials to assist affected families.

Cuauhtémoc: Training ship with a global mission

Cuauhtémoc is not just a ship - it is a symbol of Mexico's naval glory and a floating ambassador. Built in 1981 in Spain, it has traveled more than 756,085 knots while visiting 212 ports of 64 countries. Its current mission, which began at April 6, 2025, was 254-day training cruise for 22 ports of 15 countries to Iceland from Jamaica. With 64 women and 213 men, this journey proved to be a milestone for sexual diversity in the Mexican Navy. This ship was docked in the South Street Seaport Museum from May 13, which was open to the common people, and it was prepared to join the cell 4th 250 programs to celebrate the US 250th anniversary in 2026.

Cuauhtémoc, who is known as "ambassador and sea knight", trains the cadets of the Navy and spreads the message of peace and goodwill of Mexico. Its stop in New York was a major attraction, but the collision has put a shadow on its glorious heritage. The ship now stands on Manhattan's Pier 36, its mast is clearly damaged, while the evaluation continues.

Damage, reaction and what further?

Cuauhtémoc suffered a lot, all three mast broke and ropes collapsed. It was taken to Pier 36 to safely land for the crew. Significantly, Brooklyn Bridge himself was safely survived, no structural damage was notified by the New York City Department of Transportation. The bridge was closed for about 40 minutes, but later it was re-opened, however, inspection continues to ensure safety.

More than 100 fires and EMS personnel with NYPD Harbor Units and US Coast Guard reached the command post on both sides of the East River by reaching the spot. Mayor Eric Adams of New York City praised "tremendous work" of the first respondents, he said that there was no need to defend from water. NTSB will check mechanical issues, communication protocols and will check whether the level of tide or shipping schemes contributed to the accident. This event reminds the last collision with Brooklyn Bridge - in 1921, 1935 and 1986 - and in 2024 after collapse of Baltimore bridge, which underscores the need for better maritime protection measures.

At the moment, Cuauhtémoc is on Pier 36, which has been kept away from the common people. Mexican Navy and American officials are working together, and there is hope to get further information as soon as possible. This tragedy reminds a serious reminder of the importance of strong security protocol for historical ships like risks and Cuauhtémoc in busy urban waterways.