A Mexican Navy training ship carrying 277 passengers collided with the underside of the Brooklyn Bridge in New York on Saturday night, killing at least two people and injuring more than a dozen others, according to officials.
“At this time, of the 277 on board, 19 sustained injuries, 2 of which remain in critical condition, and 2 more have sadly passed away from their injuries,” Eric Adams, the mayor of New York City, posted on X.
The two people who died fell from one of the ship’s masts, a law enforcement official told CNN. They were taken to a nearby hospital and pronounced dead, according to the official. According to the official, the ship has since been moved to New York’s Pier 36.
According to New York Police Department Chief Wilson Aramboles, the ship appeared to lose power around 8:20 p.m. while the captain was maneuvering it, forcing the vessel towards the bridge’s pillar and causing the ship’s mast to collide with the bridge.
Officials cautioned that the information provided is preliminary and subject to change. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating what happened.
The Cuauhtémoc’s mast hits the underside of the bridge and breaks as it passes through, with pieces falling to the deck. The bridge itself suffered no visible damage and reopened to traffic Saturday night after a brief closure.
According to Aramboles, some sailors on the bridge’s mast were injured.
The Mexican Navy reported 22 injuries in a Spanish-language post on X, with 19 receiving medical attention at local hospitals.
“The status of the personnel and material is under review by naval and local authorities, who are providing support,” said the Mexican Navy’s spokesperson.
Capt. Juan Caballero, a Mexican Navy spokesman, told CNN that the ship was on a training cruise, which happens every year.
All lanes of the Brooklyn Bridge were briefly closed in both directions following the incident, but had reopened by 10:30 p.m., according to New York emergency officials.
“While inspections will continue, there are no signs of structural damage to the Brooklyn Bridge at this time,” said Fabien Levy, Adams’ spokesperson.
NYPD advised residents to avoid the Brooklyn Bridge, South Street Seaport in Manhattan, and Dumbo in Brooklyn. “Expect heavy traffic and a large presence of emergency vehicles in the surrounding area,” authorities told X.
