On social media, many viewers stunned after a viral video showed Mexican navy tall ship crash with brooklyn bridge leaves two dead and many injured.
A tragic collision happened Saturday night when a Mexican Navy tall ship hit the Brooklyn Bridge.
Two people died, and others were injured. The vessel involved was the Cuauhtémoc, a training ship of the Mexican Navy.
It crashed into the bridge while leaving New York City.
Mexican Navy ship crew clings to rigging
Around 8:30 p.m., the 150-foot-tall ship crashed into the Brooklyn Bridge, snapping its masts and injuring nearly 20 crew members.
Two sailors aboard the ship were killed in the accident. All those injured remained on the vessel; no one fell overboard.
According to NYPD officials, the ship had been departing for Iceland as part of a scheduled training voyage.
“No one fell into the water, they were all hurt inside the ship,” an NYPD official said, according to WCBS. “The ship, from what I was informed by the supervisors of the ship, it was disembarking and going to Iceland.”
The footage showed Mexican Navy ship crew clings to rigging
Early reports suggest a possible mechanical malfunction may have caused the ship to veer off its planned course into the bridge.
The incident remains under investigation. Authorities have not confirmed the exact cause of the navigation failure.
Eyewitness video captured the ship’s masts crashing into the Brooklyn Bridge. Crew members were seen clinging to the rigging in panic.
One sailor dangled from a harness for about 15 minutes. Rescue teams arrived shortly after to assist.
Sailors seen dangling as chaos erupts onboard
Eyewitnesses describe shocking scenes of sailors dangling from rigging as chaos unfolds on deck.
“We zoomed in and saw someone dangling from the top,” said eyewitness Lily Katz, speaking to the Associated Press.
Nick Corso, another witness, initially filmed the ship for its scenic background when he heard a loud snapping sound.
“It sounded like a big twig breaking. Suddenly, everyone panicked,” Corso recalled, describing pandemonium erupting on board the vessel.
Corso noted several people dangling from the rigging. “I didn’t know what to think. I asked myself— is this a movie?”
Social media reaction
On social media, many viewers were stunned by footage showing sailors hanging from rigging ropes on the damaged masts—though none fell into the water. They also expressed their shock after the incident.
One person said: Didn’t realize that the Mexican Navy was so far backwards they still use sailing ships…
A second wrote: I’m shocked, never knew Mexico had a navy.
While a third commented: Looks like engines were stuck in full reverse.
There were many jumping or falling in the water on some of the videos. Someone else said.
Another user added: Thats just crazy and actually a No Go for such a developed country.
Someone said: This is very bad. Prayers for them and quick recovery
After the incident, the bridge undamaged in conllision
Despite the severity of the incident, the Brooklyn Bridge did not sustain structural damage, city officials confirmed Saturday night.
Mayor Eric Adams praised first responders for their quick actions. “We are grateful this wasn’t worse,” Adams stated at a briefing.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum offered condolences via social media. “Our sympathy and support go out to their families,” she wrote on X.
Bilbao, Spain, built the Cuauhtémoc in 1981, and the ship has a long history of participating in international maritime events.
According to Sail Training International, the vessel has twice won the prestigious Tall Ships’ Races competition.
The ship was in New York to promote an event for the United States’ 250th birthday, scheduled for next year.