A massive Mexican navy tall ship on a goodwill visit to New York collided with the Brooklyn Bridge late Saturday, toppling its massive masts in a horrific scene that killed two people and injured 17 others, two of whom were critically injured, according to fire officials and sources.
The majestic Cuauhtémoc, which has a crew of 277 people, mostly cadets, apparently lost power while sailing out of New York on its way to Iceland, and the current carried it into the bridge’s road deck around 8:30 p.m., according to Mayor Eric Adams and video footage of the crash.
The collision sheared off the ship’s 147-foot masts, with alarming footage showing numerous crew members dangling for their lives from the sails and booms after the boat collided with the bridge, which has a maximum clearance of 135 feet.
“The boat was coming under the bridge, and there were sailors on top of the boat, the sails hit the bridge, and then people were falling off the boat sails,” said Elijah West, who witnessed the terrifying crash at Brooklyn Bridge Park.
“That was crazy. We were standing beneath the bridge when we all began running. Then I noticed people hanging from the sails. Police boats arrived quickly—about five minutes later. The police then guided the boat to the (Manhattan) bridge and began the rescue. “It was shocking.”
Numerous onlookers gathered on the shore with cameras to film the ship’s departure from various angles, becoming alarmed as the tips of the masts toppled over one by one as they hit the bridge.
“She is about to crash,” a startled witness could be heard saying in the video.
Ismari Romero, 43, said what was supposed to be a joyful farewell to the ship turned into screams as witnesses saw the still moving ship with its sailors, many of whom were cadets, dangling perilously.
“We were scared — a lot of people were screaming, a lot of people were crying,” said Romero, who witnessed the dramatic incident with her sister from Pier 17.
“We were celebrating, saying our goodbyes, and singing.” We were all happy, and they left. “And then they got to the Brooklyn Bridge.”
Harrowing footage from the scene shows panicked onlookers fleeing the riverside park as the vessel drifted toward the grassy area.
“I could not believe what I was seeing,” said Aya Asan, a 33-year-old photographer from Crown Heights who had just finished a proposal photoshoot at the park, where tourists gathered to watch the sunset just beyond the horizon.
“For a brief moment, I was concerned that the boat would collide with the people in the park. I and others fled. Everyone was shocked when we saw a large number of police officers and heard sirens. “I noticed people hanging there.”
First responders searched the waters after reports that crew members had fallen in, but sources later confirmed that no one had.
The tragic incident, according to retired Navy Captain Alfred S. McClaren, was “inconceivable.”
“I am dumbfounded,” said the former nuclear submarine captain.
“It may lose power and drift. So the question is, how fast were they going? But why did not they use a rudder, either way? One of the first things I would have done was to drop my anchor or anchors.
The mutilated ship is currently idle in the water, while emergency personnel work at Pier 16 to care for the injured. According to sources, it will most likely be relocated to Pier 36.
People in critical condition were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Officials have not revealed the identities of the two crew members who died.
Fire officials warned drivers to expect traffic delays and road closures near New Dock Street and Water Street in Brooklyn.
The bridge, which sustained minor damage, has since been reopened to the public.
The vessel, built in Spain in 1982 for the sole purpose of training cadets, was in New York City to promote next year’s Sail4th tall ship event, which commemorates America’s 250th birthday.
The stop is only the third in the vessel’s eight-month journey around the world, giving the Mexican cadets the opportunity to hone their sailing skills in places like Jamaica, Iceland, Portugal, and more.
This year’s class of 175 cadets is the largest the nation’s navy has ever seen.
“Class sizes are steadily increasing. “We just keep getting more people!” said Lt. Sgt. Hugo Calvario, the ship’s orthopedic surgeon.
“We had to leave almost 40% of the crew to take on more cadets,” he explained, implying that trainees must pick up the slack and take on more responsibilities.
The Post watched earlier this week as they skillfully climbed the dauntingly high ropes and stretched across the towers of the ship’s three masts to perform what is known in English as “manning the yards” — a universal sign of respect that is performed every time a ship arrives in port.
It is expected to be one of 30 Class A International Tall Ships to parade through the Harbor on July 4, 2026.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed “deep sadness” over the deaths of the crew members.
The Mexican navy issued a statement following the wreck.
“During the sailing maneuver of the Cuauhtémoc sailboat in New York, a mishap occurred with the Brooklyn Bridge, causing damage to the training ship, preventing the continuation of the training cruise for the time being,” according to them.
“The status of personnel and equipment is being reviewed by naval and local authorities, who are providing support,” according to the group. “The Navy reaffirms its commitment to personnel safety, transparency in its operations, and excellent training for future officers of the Mexican Navy.”