The Mexican navy tall ship Cuauhtémoc collided with the Brooklyn Bridge on Saturday evening in a crash that claimed the lives of two people and prompted investigations from multiple agencies. One of the deceased has been identified as América Yamilet Sánchez, a naval cadet from Veracruz, Mexico. Veracruz Governor Rocío Nahle García confirmed Sánchez’s identity in a social media post, expressing condolences to her family and support for those injured in the incident.
The crash occurred at approximately 8:20 p.m., when the Cuauhtémoc, a well-known training vessel for the Mexican navy, appeared to lose control and reversed into the Brooklyn Bridge. Videos from eyewitnesses showed the ship, flying a large Mexican flag, drifting backward with speed toward the bridge from the East River. The ship’s tall masts, towering up to 160 feet, collided with the bridge structure and broke apart, one after another, as the vessel continued to move. Despite the dramatic footage, no injuries were reported among those on the bridge or in nearby areas.
Sailors were visible in the rigging of the vessel when the collision occurred. Remarkably, officials noted that no one fell into the water during the incident. The ship’s propulsion issues have been cited as a possible cause, though this remains under investigation. According to Deputy Mayor of Public Safety Kaz Daughtry, city officials are not responsible for naval vessels and do not have the jurisdiction to board them. He stated that the cause of the crash—whether related to propulsion, electrical, or mechanical systems—will be determined by federal and possibly international investigative authorities.
The Cuauhtémoc, approximately 297 feet long and 40 feet wide, was built in 1982 and functions as a mobile classroom for naval cadets completing their training. It departed from Acapulco on April 6 and arrived in New York on May 13 as part of a scheduled 254-day voyage to 22 ports across 15 nations. The ship had been open for public visits in the days before the accident. It was scheduled to continue its journey after the New York visit.
Following the collision, traffic on the Brooklyn Bridge was halted temporarily but resumed after an inspection found no structural damage requiring closure. The bridge, which dates back to 1883, is a key transportation artery for New York City and supports daily crossings by over 100,000 vehicles and 32,000 pedestrians.
As questions arose regarding potential lapses in maritime traffic oversight, political figures responded. U.S. Senator Charles Schumer suggested that staffing cuts or disruptions in the U.S. Coast Guard, allegedly resulting from decisions under the Trump administration, may have impacted vessel traffic services. Schumer referred to the firing of Admiral Linda Fagan and pointed to a broader hiring freeze affecting maritime control.
In response, the Department of Homeland Security issued a statement rejecting the claims, calling them “false.” The department clarified that the U.S. Coast Guard had not been affected by hiring freezes and emphasized that the incident was not connected to vessel traffic services. According to the DHS, when a ship loses propulsion in a strong current, multiple emergency measures must be employed to regain control, including assistance from nearby tugboats.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and other officials have publicly described the collision as an accident. Sheinbaum, speaking to the media in Mexico, urged against politicizing the incident. Federal and local authorities from both countries are expected to collaborate on the investigation, which may involve the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board or a Mexican equivalent.
After the collision, the damaged vessel was slowly moved northward on the East River, passing under the Manhattan Bridge and eventually docking at a nearby pier with the aid of several tugboats. The full extent of the damage to the ship and the impact on its international voyage has not yet been disclosed. Investigations are ongoing.
