In a tragic turn of events on the night of May 18, 2025, a historic naval vessel from Mexico, the ARM Cuauhtémoc, collided with the world-famous Brooklyn Bridge in New York City. The dramatic incident resulted in the deaths of two people and left at least 22 others injured, 11 of them critically.
As New Yorkers watched in horror, a goodwill visit by a majestic tall ship transformed into a nightmare on the East River. This catastrophic accident sent shockwaves through both American and Mexican communities and raised questions about maritime safety, bridge clearance protocols, and training operations aboard naval vessels.
A Historic Vessel Meets Tragedy
The Cuauhtémoc, a towering three-masted Mexican Navy sailing ship, has long been a symbol of diplomatic goodwill and naval pride. With a distinguished 43-year service record, the vessel had sailed over 400,000 nautical miles and visited 228 ports across 73 countries.
Built in Bilbao, Spain, in 1982, this tall ship was specifically designed for training cadets and was considered one of Mexico’s most visible ambassadors of maritime excellence and culture. Its visit to New York was part of a months-long international tour aimed at fostering goodwill and offering naval trainees the experience of global navigation.
The ship arrived in New York Harbor earlier in the week, bearing a large Mexican flag and carrying 277 people, including cadets and officers. The vessel had already stopped in several other cities, including Kingston, Havana, and Cozumel, and was headed to European destinations like Iceland and France.
Read : 26-year-old PhD Student Daniela Lucas Declines Offer for an Internship in NASA
However, just before 9 p.m. on May 18, as the Cuauhtémoc was navigating the East River, disaster struck. All three of its 147-foot masts slammed into the underside of the Brooklyn Bridge. Witnesses described the vessel moving in reverse at the time of the collision, which caused the massive masts to snap upon impact.
Breaking overnight..
— Chris from Massachusetts AKA TommyboyTrader (@autumnsdad1) May 18, 2025
Massive ship with Mexican flags just hit the Brooklyn Bridge after receiving permission to pass through..captain claims he lost power and 2 members of his crew were killed..
Under investigation right now..
pic.twitter.com/tpUzVCg7zf
In the immediate aftermath, debris—including lights, rigging, and pieces of the wooden structure—rained down onto the deck, injuring numerous crew members. Initial reports indicated that no one had fallen into the river, contrary to early speculation.
Chaos on the Waterfront and Response from Authorities
Footage shared by bystanders showed scenes of chaos and panic along the riverbank. People were seen fleeing as the Cuauhtémoc veered toward the shore, clearly out of control. Some of the most harrowing images showed sailors clinging desperately to the rigging, suspended high above the ship’s deck, their lives hanging in the balance.
Sparks flew, scaffolding swayed violently, and the ship finally came to rest, visibly stranded beneath the bridge. Mayor Eric Adams initially reported that 19 people had been injured.
However, hours later, during a follow-up statement, he confirmed the tragic deaths of two crew members and updated the number of injured to 22. Of these, 11 were listed in critical condition, while nine others remained stable. The mayor confirmed that all injuries occurred aboard the vessel and that emergency services had responded rapidly.
The New York Emergency Management Department issued alerts urging people to avoid the Brooklyn Bridge area as first responders worked to secure the scene. At approximately 10:30 p.m., the city’s emergency notification system announced the reopening of the bridge, though traffic delays continued late into the night. Multiple injured crew members were taken to nearby hospitals and the Brooklyn Navy Yard for urgent treatment.
The Mexican Navy, in a statement posted on the social media platform X, acknowledged the collision and said the ship had sustained damage that would prevent it from continuing its scheduled journey.
Naval authorities confirmed that the personnel and material on board were under review and reaffirmed their commitment to safety and transparency. They pledged to continue offering high-quality training for their naval officers, despite the shocking incident.
Goodwill Mission Overshadowed by Catastrophe
The Cuauhtémoc’s visit to New York had been intended as a celebration of international friendship. Upon arrival, the ship was greeted warmly, with cadets seen standing proudly on the masts in full ceremonial attire. Many others wore traditional Mexican clothing, embodying the cultural significance of the voyage.
The ship was scheduled to remain docked in New York for several days before continuing its 254-day mission, which would span 15 countries and 22 ports. This journey, which began in Acapulco on April 6, was meticulously planned and symbolically rich.
Alongside its training purpose, the ship’s presence served as an act of soft diplomacy—an effort by Mexico to engage with the global community, promote naval camaraderie, and highlight its maritime traditions. The vessel’s cultural and symbolic importance made the accident all the more devastating.
The collision has sparked debates and investigations into the conditions that led to the accident. Questions have been raised about the ship’s navigational route, the tide levels at the time of the incident, and possible failures in communication between the vessel and New York’s harbor authorities.
Additionally, there are inquiries about whether the ship had received accurate clearance data for passing under the Brooklyn Bridge, particularly given the height of its masts.
Authorities from both Mexico and the United States have pledged to conduct a thorough joint investigation. For now, the Cuauhtémoc remains docked, its journey paused indefinitely. A once-celebratory mission has turned into a somber moment of reflection and mourning for the lives lost and the future of such diplomatic naval operations.
This incident also raises larger concerns for global naval operations and goodwill missions involving large traditional sailing vessels in modern urban environments. The blending of history and modern infrastructure must be handled with the utmost care to prevent such tragedies in the future.
As the city of New York and the Mexican Navy reel from this event, the memory of those lost in the collision will remain tied to this landmark incident. For now, the iconic image of the Cuauhtémoc—once a proud symbol of Mexican seafaring spirit—rests broken under the arches of the Brooklyn Bridge, a powerful reminder of both the majesty and fragility of such endeavors.