A tragic maritime accident unfolded in New York Harbor over the weekend when a Mexican Navy training vessel collided with the Brooklyn Bridge, resulting in the deaths of two people and injuries to 19 others.

The incident occurred on Saturday, May 17, as the tall ship Cuauhtémoc, carrying 277 crew members and passengers, attempted to pass under the historic bridge. According to early reports, the ship had just departed from a pier in Manhattan when it suffered a mechanical failure and lost power.

Authorities say the ship, which was not scheduled to navigate under the bridge, began drifting and attempted to reverse course. However, the masts of the vessel were too tall to clear the bridge’s underpass. As the ship backed up, the masts struck the structure, causing part of the rigging to collapse.

New York City Police Chief Wilson Aramboles explained that the mechanical failure left the crew with limited control over the ship’s direction. The tall masts, which were incompatible with the bridge’s clearance height, became a critical hazard as the ship drifted closer.

New York Mayor Eric Adams confirmed in a statement that two people had died from their injuries and two others were in critical condition. “We are praying for everyone on board and their families,” Adams said. “We are also grateful to our first responders, whose quick actions prevented this tragedy from becoming even worse.”

Mayor Adams also confirmed that an inspection revealed no structural damage to the Brooklyn Bridge and that it has since reopened to the public.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed condolences following the accident, mourning the loss of two crew members aboard the Cuauhtémoc. “Our sympathy and support go out to their families,” she stated. Mexican naval authorities are reportedly providing medical care and working closely with local officials in New York to support those affected.

Eyewitness accounts describe a dramatic scene as the ship approached the bridge. One bystander, Flavia Moreira, said she was walking nearby when she noticed the vessel drifting too close. “It just kept coming closer and closer,” she told reporters. “When it hit, we could see people being shaken and trying to hold on. Some appeared to be swinging from the masts.”

Officials later confirmed that the two individuals who lost their lives had fallen from one of the ship’s masts during the impact.

The National Transportation Safety Board has launched an investigation to determine the full cause of the accident and whether additional safety measures should be recommended for future naval visits to U.S. ports.

The Cuauhtémoc is known internationally as a symbol of Mexico’s naval tradition and often travels the world for training and diplomatic missions. The incident has cast a shadow over what was intended to be a goodwill visit, leaving both nations mourning a tragic loss.