Two killed in ship collision at New York City's Brooklyn Bridge

Two individuals lost their lives and 19 others were injured when a Mexican Navy training vessel struck the Brooklyn Bridge, according to New York City Mayor Eric Adams on Sunday.

The ship broke all three of its masts upon impact with the iconic bridge late Saturday evening, as spectators enjoying the pleasant spring night looked on in shock.

"Out of the 277 people aboard, 19 were hurt, with 2 in critical condition, and sadly, 2 have died from their injuries," Adams shared on X.

Video circulated online captured the Mexican Navy vessel Cuauhtemoc with its sails rolled up and decorative lights hanging along its rigging as it attempted to sail under the bridge.

Unfortunately, the bridge clipped the ship’s masts, causing them to break and fall into the East River.

The Mexican Navy reported that 22 individuals aboard the vessel sustained injuries in the accident, with three in critical condition.

According to Wilson Aramboles, New York's police chief of special operations, the ship experienced a loss of power while the captain was attempting to maneuver, which caused it to collide with the bridge abutment on the Brooklyn side.

"There was chaos on the ship," said Nick Corso, 23, a Brooklyn local who was nearby the water. He initially intended to take a photo but switched to recording a video as he realized what was unfolding.

He described hearing a lot of shouting, with several sailors hanging from the ship’s masts, giving the impression that chaos was unfolding on board."

"Although I didn’t witness anyone falling overboard, there were many people up on the deck. Everyone was running back while shouting," said Corso, who works in marketing for the entertainment company VeeFriends.

"What really caught my attention was the obvious panic among the crew, and I noticed a man at the rear signaling for people to clear the walkway we were standing on," he added.

According to a statement from the Mexican Navy, no one ended up in the water and no rescue mission was initiated.

At the time of the incident, the vessel was setting sail from New York. Flags could be seen fluttering on the rigging, with a massive Mexican flag waving prominently at the rear.

Moments after leaving the dock, things took a sudden turn. “We saw all the lights, then the ship crashed into the bridge, and the sailors tumbled down,” said Arturo Acatitla, a 37-year-old New Yorker, speaking to AFP.

Although inspections are still underway, the New York Department of Transportation noted on X that there is no visible structural damage to the Brooklyn Bridge.

The bridge connecting Brooklyn to Manhattan was temporarily closed for about 40 minutes before it reopened.

According to Mexican ambassador Esteban Moctezuma Barragán, victims were taken to the hospital, with sirens audible near the area.

NYPD's Aramboles stated that the Cuauhtémoc, a barque built in 1982 with a mast height of 48.2 meters (158 feet), was en route to Iceland when the incident occurred.

The vessel had arrived in New York just four days prior, as noted in a post on the Mexican embassy’s Facebook page.

With mariachi music, traditional folk ballet, and a wave of heartfelt community spirit, the arrival of the Cuauhtémoc at Manhattan’s Pier 17 was joyfully marked, according to a post from the Mexican embassy.

However, the vessel sustained some damage during what the Mexican Navy referred to as a "mishap," as confirmed in a statement shared on X.

“The Navy remains dedicated to ensuring the safety of its crew, maintaining transparency in its operations, and upholding the highest standards in the training of future naval officers,” the statement emphasized.

Following the incident, the Cuauhtémoc was relocated to a spot near the Manhattan Bridge, as observed by an AFP reporter.