On the evening of May 17, 2025, at approximately 8:30 p.m. local time, the Mexican Navy’s sail‑training vessel ARM Cuauhtémoc struck the underside of the Brooklyn Bridge while navigating the East River during a promotional tour. One of its three masts, each standing roughly 147 feet tall, scraped and partially collapsed against the bridge’s road deck before the ship drifted toward the Brooklyn shore. Eyewitness videos captured the dramatic moment, including crew members dangling from the rigging until they were rescued by NYPD Harbor Unit and FDNY teams  .

Initial emergency response reports indicate between 20 and 35 people aboard the Cuauhtémoc sustained injuries, with several—including two to four individuals—listed in critical condition. Injured crew and cadets were evacuated via smaller craft and taken to Pier 16 and nearby hospitals for treatment, while no fatalities have been confirmed. The NYPD and U.S. Coast Guard assisted on scene, and all lanes of the bridge were briefly closed before reopening by around 10:30 p.m. after safety inspections  .

In an official statement on X, the Mexican Navy affirmed that the ship’s personnel and material status are under review in coordination with U.S. authorities, and pledged full transparency in the ongoing internal investigation. The Cuauhtémoc—on a global training voyage that departed Acapulco on April 6 with 277 people aboard—will remain docked in New York until damage assessments to its rigging and the bridge clearance issues are resolved. Local transport officials report no significant structural damage to the Brooklyn Bridge itself, but maritime navigation procedures under low‑clearance spans are expected to come under renewed scrutin