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A three-masted Mexican Navy sailing ship, the Cuauhtémoc, reportedly carrying around 277 people, has struck the Brooklyn Bridge on New York City’s East River.
The collision occurred just before 9 p.m., with all three of the ship’s 147-feet-tall masts striking the bridge and snapping as the vessel appeared to be moving backward.
Pictures quickly emerged online, appearing to show multiple sailors clinging to rigging high up on the masts in the aftermath. At a press conference held by New York City Mayor Eric Adams, it was confirmed thatthere were 19 people injured, five critically, and no one fell into the water.
Bystanders on the Brooklyn waterfront caught the incident on video. The ship appears to strike some type of scaffolding or gantry on the underside of the bridge, which can then be seen swinging.
In other footage, people on the waterfront are seen fleeing as the ship veers toward them after the collision.
Debris can be seen falling toward the deck of the ship, including portions of the masts, lights, and rigging. The sails were not up at the time.
Brooklyn Bridge reopens after brief closure
Oliver O'Connell18 May 2025 04:20
New York governor briefed on incident
New York Governor Kathy Hochul has been briefed on the incident and has offered assistance to the city if needed.
Oliver O'Connell18 May 2025 04:15
Watch: City officials hold press conference
No damage to the Brooklyn Bridge after the collision.
The injured have been taken to local area hospitals.
Oliver O'Connell18 May 2025 04:06
Mexican Navy vessel in New York on goodwill visit
The Cuauhtémoc, a training vessel in the Mexican Navy, sailed into New York Harbor on Tuesday as part of a goodwill visit to the U.S., with dozens of naval cadets seen standing on the masts as others dressed in cultural Mexican attire awaited nearby.

A large Mexican flag was flying at the stern of the vessel when the collision occurred.
Built in Bilbao, Spain, in 1982, the ARM Cuauhtémoc is considered an ambassador vessel for her country, along with three sister ships. The tall ship is believed to have traveled 400,000 nautical miles and has visited 228 ports across 73 countries over 43 years.
On its current voyage, the ship left Acapulco on April 6, and was scheduled to visit 22 ports in 15 nations, including Kingston, Jamaica; Havana, Cuba; Cozumel, Mexico; and New York.
It had also planned to go to Reykjavik, Iceland; Bordeaux, Saint Malo, and Dunkirk, France; and Aberdeen, Scotland, among others, for a total of 254 days — 170 at sea and 84 in port.
Oliver O'Connell18 May 2025 04:03
In pictures: Vessel sits stranded in East Rive in aftermath of collision



Oliver O'Connell18 May 2025 03:56
What we know so far after three-masted ship collides with New York's Brooklyn Bridge
Here’s what we know so far after this evening’s collision injured dozens.
Oliver O'Connell18 May 2025 03:50
The ship appeared to strike some type of scaffolding or gantry on the underside of the world-famous bridge, which can be seen swinging in the aftermath.
Video shows debris falling toward the deck of the ship, including portions of the masts, lights, and rigging. The sails were not up at the time.
Oliver O'Connell18 May 2025 03:44
The collision occurred just before 9 p.m., with all three of the ship’s 147-feet-tall masts striking the bridge and snapping. The vessel appeared to be moving backward at the time, with some reports saying it was departing South Street Seaport in Lower Manhattan.
Oliver O'Connell18 May 2025 03:43
Watch: Moment ship strikes Brooklyn Bridge
X user @orenjinoir was standing on the waterfront in Brooklyn when the collision occurred and caught the moment on video.
Oliver O'Connell18 May 2025 03:41
New York City’s Emergency Management Department swung into action, launching a search and rescue operation to pull people out of the water who may have fallen in.
Footage of the collision shot by bystanders showed sailors had been standing high up on the masts of the ship, all three of which snapped, leaving some of them clinging to rigging.
Oliver O'Connell18 May 2025 03:40