Tragedy on the East River as Mexican Navy Ship Strikes Brooklyn Bridge, Leaving Two Dead



A tragic maritime accident unfolded in the early hours of Sunday as a Mexican Navy tall ship collided with the iconic Brooklyn Bridge in New York City, leaving two sailors dead and at least nineteen others injured. The incident occurred around 6:40 a.m. during a training and goodwill mission through North American ports, which included a highly anticipated stop in New York Harbor.

The ship, identified as the ARM Cuauhtémoc, is a revered Mexican Navy training vessel, known for its elegant masts, white sails, and international appearances as a symbol of diplomacy and naval heritage. At the time of the crash, the vessel was navigating the East River under challenging conditions, including dense fog and strong tidal currents. According to preliminary reports, the ship’s masts exceeded the safe clearance for passage beneath the Brooklyn Bridge—a miscalculation that proved fatal.

Witnesses along the riverbank described hearing a loud metallic crunch as the ship’s tallest mast struck the lower girders of the bridge. “It sounded like an explosion of timber and steel,” said Raymond Doyle, a jogger who was passing by Brooklyn Bridge Park. “Then we saw sailors scrambling and yelling—some were dangling from ropes, and it was chaos.”

The impact caused parts of the mast structure to splinter and collapse onto the deck, striking several crew members. Emergency responders were on the scene within minutes, with New York Fire Department boats and Coast Guard vessels arriving to assist. Helicopters hovered above the area as injured sailors were lifted from the deck and rushed to nearby hospitals.

Two sailors, both midshipmen in their twenties, succumbed to their injuries before reaching the hospital. At least 19 others suffered varying degrees of trauma, ranging from broken limbs to head injuries. Several remain in critical condition.



The ship’s crew had reportedly radioed for assistance moments before the impact, suggesting awareness of a navigational problem. An investigation is underway, jointly led by the U.S. Coast Guard and Mexican naval officials. Preliminary data suggests a failure in coordination with local maritime authorities regarding bridge clearance specifications.

Mexican consular officials in New York issued a statement expressing deep sorrow over the incident. “The ARM Cuauhtémoc has always sailed as a symbol of friendship and peace. Today, we mourn the loss of two brave sailors and stand in solidarity with the injured and their families.”

New York City Mayor Eric Adams addressed the media later that morning, calling the crash a “heartbreaking and sobering event.” He pledged full city cooperation with the international investigation and extended condolences on behalf of New Yorkers. “This is a reminder that even peaceful missions carry risks, and we are grieving with the people of Mexico today.”

The Brooklyn Bridge was immediately closed to both vehicle and pedestrian traffic for several hours following the incident. Engineers conducted a thorough structural inspection but found no significant damage to the bridge’s main span. It was reopened later in the afternoon.

The ARM Cuauhtémoc, which has trained generations of Mexican naval cadets since its commissioning in 1982, remains docked under Coast Guard supervision. All remaining tour stops have been suspended as authorities examine how a modern navigation system could have allowed such a fatal miscalculation.

This tragedy marks one of the most serious naval accidents involving a foreign vessel in New York’s waterways in recent history. Memorial plans for the fallen sailors are underway, with both countries expected to hold joint tributes in the coming days.

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