The sailing ship, ARM Cuauhtémoc, was passing beneath the bridge when its tall masts struck the underside of the historic structure.
The impact caused parts of the rigging to collapse and the ship to drift towards the Manhattan shoreline, where it eventually came to a stop near the Manhattan Bridge.
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Videos shared on social media showed the moment the masts collided with the bridge’s lower span. Onlookers gasped as the towering rig snapped and debris fell, while crew members were seen clinging to the rigging high above the deck.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams confirmed that emergency responders treated 19 injured individuals, with four sustaining serious injuries. He said the bridge, which dates back to 1883, had not suffered significant structural damage.
“The quick response from our emergency services helped prevent a much more tragic outcome,” Adams said during a press briefing.
Witnesses in Brooklyn Bridge Park described scenes of confusion and fear as the ship made impact. Sydney Neidell and Lily Katz, who were watching the sunset at the time, said they saw someone dangling from the mast after the crash.
“We saw someone dangling, and I couldn’t tell if it was just blurry or my eyes,” Katz told the Associated Press. “We were able to zoom in on our phone and there was someone hanging from a harness up there for at least 15 minutes before they were rescued.”
Emergency responders used smaller boats to evacuate two people from the vessel on stretchers.
The Cuauhtémoc, a tall ship used as a training vessel by the Mexican Naval Academy, had been participating in an international goodwill voyage when the accident occurred. The vessel was flying a large green, white and red Mexican flag at the time of the crash.
In a statement posted to X (formerly Twitter), the Mexican Navy confirmed that the ship had been damaged in a collision with the Brooklyn Bridge. It said the accident had prevented the vessel from continuing its scheduled voyage. Naval authorities, in coordination with local officials, were reviewing the condition of the crew and materials on board.
Mexico’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said its ambassador to the United States and consular staff in New York were in communication with city officials and assisting the affected cadets. It did not confirm whether any Mexican personnel were among the injured.
The cause of the incident is currently under investigation. Authorities have not yet determined whether a navigational error, mechanical failure or other factors played a role.
The Brooklyn Bridge, a landmark of 19th-century engineering, connects the boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn with a span of nearly 1,600 feet (490 metres). According to the New York City Department of Transportation, more than 100,000 vehicles and 32,000 pedestrians cross the bridge daily.
Though shaken, officials noted that the bridge’s structural integrity remained intact. Engineers will continue to monitor the site in the days ahead.
As of Sunday morning, the Cuauhtémoc remained moored near the Manhattan Bridge, surrounded by local law enforcement and maritime safety officials.