On the evening of Saturday, May 17, 2025, a tragic maritime accident occurred when the Mexican Navy’s training vessel, ARM Cuauhtémoc, collided with the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City. The incident resulted in the deaths of two crew members and injuries to at least 19 others, including two individuals in critical condition.

The collision took place at approximately 8:26 p.m. local time. The Cuauhtémoc, a tall ship with masts reaching 147 feet, was departing from the South Street Seaport en route to Iceland as part of its international training cruise. Shortly after departure, the vessel experienced a mechanical failure, causing it to drift uncontrollably into the Brooklyn Bridge, which has a vertical clearance of 127 feet. The ship’s masts struck the underside of the bridge, snapping upon impact.

Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos as sailors clung to the rigging of the damaged masts. Emergency responders from the FDNY, NYPD Harbor Unit, and the U.S. Coast Guard arrived promptly, evacuating the injured and transporting them to Bellevue Hospital for treatment. The two fatalities were identified as cadets America Yamilet Sanchez, 20, and Adal Jair Marcos. Both were part of the 277 individuals on board the vessel at the time of the incident. In addition to the fatalities, 19 people sustained injuries, with two reported in critical condition.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the Cuauhtémoc was not intended to pass beneath the Brooklyn Bridge and may have deviated from its planned course due to mechanical issues. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Mexican Navy have launched investigations to determine the exact cause of the accident.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed her condolences to the families of the victims and assured that support would be provided to the affected cadets through Mexico’s ambassador and officials in the U.S. She emphasized the importance of a thorough investigation to prevent future tragedies. Despite the severity of the collision, the Brooklyn Bridge sustained no major structural damage. The bridge was temporarily closed for inspection but was reopened to traffic shortly after authorities confirmed its safety.

The ARM Cuauhtémoc is a sail training vessel of the Mexican Navy, named after the last Aztec emperor. Commissioned in 1982, the ship has served as a goodwill ambassador, visiting numerous international ports. At the time of the incident, the Cuauhtémoc was on an international training cruise titled “Consolidation of Mexican Independence 2025,” commemorating the 200th anniversary of the expulsion of the final Spanish stronghold from Mexican territory. The Cuauhtémoc is currently secured at Pier 36 under the surveillance of the NYPD and the U.S. Coast Guard, with a 50-yard safety zone established around the vessel. Investigations by both U.S. and Mexican authorities are ongoing to ascertain the factors leading to the collision and to implement measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.