On the evening of May 17, 2025, the Mexican Navy's training vessel, ARM Cuauhtémoc, collided with the underside of the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City. The incident occurred at approximately 8:26 p.m. EDT as the ship was departing from Pier 17, heading toward Iceland. The collision resulted in the deaths of two cadets and injuries to at least 25 individuals, including four in critical condition.
The Cuauhtémoc, a 270-foot tall ship built in 1982, is renowned for its role in training naval cadets and serving as a goodwill ambassador for Mexico. At the time of the incident, the vessel was carrying 277 people. Eyewitnesses reported that the ship's masts struck the bridge, causing parts of the rigging to collapse. Some crew members were on the masts during the collision, leading to falls and subsequent injuries.
Emergency response teams, including the FDNY, NYPD Harbor Unit, and the U.S. Coast Guard, promptly arrived at the scene. Rescue operations involved treating the injured on-site and transporting them to local hospitals. A casualty collection point was established at Pier 16 to manage the situation efficiently.
Preliminary investigations suggest that a mechanical failure led to the loss of control, resulting in the collision. The Mexican Navy has acknowledged the incident and is conducting a thorough assessment to determine the exact cause. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is also involved in the ongoing investigation.
Fortunately, initial inspections by the New York City Department of Transportation indicate no major structural damage to the Brooklyn Bridge. The bridge was temporarily closed following the incident but has since reopened to traffic.
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