A towering Mexican naval training vessel on a ceremonial visit to New York crashed into the Brooklyn Bridge tonight, bringing its massive masts down onto the deck in a terrifying accident that left numerous crew members seriously hurt, according to emergency responders and eyewitness accounts.
The ship, the Cuauhtémoc, which spans 270 feet and carries a crew of 277—mostly cadets—was sailing beneath the bridge around 9 p.m. when one of its towering 147-foot masts struck the underside of the bridge, multiple sources told The Post. The impact sent parts of the rigging and people plunging into the East River, prompting an urgent rescue effort.
Initial reports indicated that at least 23 people were injured in the incident, including three in critical condition. Witnesses and officials confirmed that some of the injured were crew members who had fallen from the rigging into the water.
“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 of the boat sails,” said Elijah West, a tourist from Texas who witnessed the event. “I believe they were trying to do like a little show. It’s the Mexican Navy. It was crazy, though, yeah. We were standing under the bridge and we all started running. Then I saw people hanging from the sails. Police boats came around fast – about five minutes later.”
Though the exact cause of the accident has not been confirmed, sources suggested a possible electrical failure aboard the vessel. The ship’s sails were reportedly not fully deployed at the time of the collision.
Dramatic video from the crash site showed one of the masts slamming violently into the bridge’s lower deck, snapping and collapsing downward. Shortly after, additional masts appeared to give way.
Panic erupted onshore as crowds gathered beneath the bridge at a Brooklyn park. Startled spectators were seen fleeing as the ship veered alarmingly close to the waterfront.
“She’s about to crash,” one voice could be heard shouting in footage taken from the scene.
The Cuauhtémoc remained afloat but stationary after the crash, as emergency services converged on the site. Officials said the ship would eventually be towed to Pier 36 for further inspection and stabilization.
Victims were transported for treatment, with critically injured crew members taken to nearby hospitals, and others being assessed at the Brooklyn Navy Yard.
In the wake of the collision, the FDNY issued warnings to motorists about road closures and potential traffic backups near New Dock Street and Water Street in Brooklyn.
Built in 1982 in Spain, the Cuauhtémoc was designed specifically for training Mexican Navy cadets. The vessel had docked in New York as part of a goodwill tour promoting the upcoming Sail4th event—a celebration of America’s 250th anniversary in 2026.
The New York visit marked the third stop on an ambitious eight-month global expedition. The voyage includes planned visits to countries like Jamaica, Iceland, and Portugal, offering cadets a real-world environment to develop their maritime skills.
This year’s contingent includes 175 cadets, making it the largest class in the Mexican Navy’s history.
“The classes are getting bigger and bigger. We just keep getting more and more people!” said Lt. Sgt. Hugo Calvario, the ship’s onboard orthopedic surgeon.
“We had to leave almost 40% of the crew to take on more cadets,” he added, explaining that the increased number of trainees meant they had to assume additional duties and responsibilities on board.
Earlier in the week, The Post observed cadets performing the traditional “manning the yards” drill, in which they climbed high into the rigging and stood on the ship’s spars—a customary naval gesture of respect as a ship enters port.
The Cuauhtémoc is expected to be one of 30 Class A international tall ships featured in a grand parade through New York Harbor on July 4, 2026.