The Mexican navy tall ship that crashed into the Brooklyn Bridge on Saturday night apparently lost power shortly before the collision, the NYPD said.
The hulking Cuauhtémoc, which holds a crew of 277 largely made up of cadets, appeared to lose control as it went backwards into the bridge and slammed its towering masts into the roadbed at about 8:30 p.m.
Two sailors were on top of one of the 147-foot masts when it struck the bridge. Two people were killed and 17 injured, including four critically, according to fire officials and sources.
The Mexican Navy training ship, the Cuauhtémoc, sits stranded in the East River after crashing into the Brooklyn Bridge on May 17, 2025. AP
The damaged mast of the ship after crashing into the Brooklyn Bridge. Nelson Slinkard via Storyful
A Mexican flag waves from the damaged vessel as it sits underneath the Brooklyn Bridge Saturday night. @Corso52 via Storyful
Crew and passengers on the Mexican Navy tall ship ARM Cuauhtémoc are given medical attention after the ship struck the Brooklyn Bridge on Saturday, May 17, 2025 in New York, N.Y. James Keivom
People sit on the rocks of the East River overlooking the damaged boat. Paul Martinka
The Brooklyn Bridge lights up above the damaged Mexican Navy tall ship. REUTERSHere is the latest on the Brooklyn Bridge crash involving a Mexican navy tall ship
- Harrowing footage shows Mexican sailors clinging to rigging for dear life after Brooklyn Bridge crash
- Mexican navy cadet América Yamilet Sánchez, 20, ID’d as first victim in Brooklyn Bridge crash
- Mexican ship crashed into Brooklyn Bridge because it lost steering during mechanical failure: sources
- Doomed Mexican ship’s crew were on masts for touching ‘manning the yards’ salute when boat hit Brooklyn Bridge
- Mexican sailor recalls horror aboard doomed Navy ship that crashed into Brooklyn Bridge: ‘No one reacted’
First responders transport an injured crew member on a stretcher. William Miller
Mayor Eric Adams attends a press briefing for the Brooklyn Bridge crash on May 17, 2025. James KeivomThe finding of loss of power is only preliminary officials cautioned and the The National Transportation Safety Board is still investigating.
Officials said the ship was on its way out of New York on its way to Iceland when the disaster occurred.
