Mexican Navy Breaks Silence After Ship Crashes Into Brooklyn Bridge, Leaves 20 Injured

Those going for a walk along the water near the Brooklyn Bridge were treated to a truly frightening scene when a ship collided with the bridge.

Two large masts were seen splitting in half as horrified onlookers watched the ship cruise in their general direction before coming to a halt just before hitting the pier. Three people are in critical condition, with 17 other people injured in the incident, according to a report from CNN.

The New York Police Department revealed a sailboat hit the bridge around 8:26 p.m. and multiple people are being “aided." Multiple reports emerged revealing there were more than 200 people aboard the ship - which was later identified as the Cuauhtemoc of the Mexican Navy.

The New York Post shared details of the ship:

The vessel, built in Spain in 1982 with the sole purpose of training cadets, had been in the city as part of a promotion for next year’s Sail4th tall ship event, which celebrates America’s 250th birthday.

The stop is just the third in the vessel’s eight-month voyage around the globe, which offers the Mexican cadets the opportunity to flex their sailing muscles in environments like Jamaica, Iceland, Portugal and more.

This year’s class boasts 175 cadets, the largest class the nation’s navy has seen yet.

Video of the incident was caught from several different perspectives, equally terrifying.

A massive pirate ship just hit the Brooklyn Bridge pic.twitter.com/eWRvh8Ognn

— Corso (@Corso52) May 18, 2025

Just watched the Brooklyn Bridge get smoked live by a boat with a massive Mexican flag pic.twitter.com/R8eJKwJaJ2

— Nelson Slinkard (@TheWillieNelson) May 18, 2025

Not long after the incident, the Mexican Navy issued a statement on social media.

"During the sailing maneuver of the Cuauhtémoc sailboat in New York, a mishap occurred with the Brooklyn Bridge, causing damage to the training ship, preventing the continuation of the training cruise for the time being," the translated statement read.

"The status of personnel and equipment is being reviewed by naval and local authorities, who are providing support. The Navy reaffirms its commitment to personnel safety, transparency in its operations, and excellent training for future officers of the Mexican Navy."

Victims are being transported to the Brooklyn Navy Yard, with those in critical condition being taken to a nearby hospital for additional treatment, according to the NY Post.

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