At least two people have died as a three-masted Mexican Navy sailing ship, the Cuauhtémoc, with around 200 people onboard, crashed into the Brooklyn Bridge on New York’s East River.
New York Mayor Eric Adams confirmed the two deaths hours after a news conference, the Independent reported.
The Mexican navy said that at least 22 people have been injured in the crash, 11 of whom were in critical condition, while nine are stable.
Adams said all those injured were on the ship and that no one fell into the river.
The collision occurred just before 9 p.m., with all three of the ship’s 147-feet-tall masts striking the bridge and snapping as the vessel appeared to be moving backwards.
The video showed the ship striking some type of scaffolding or gantry on the underside of the bridge, which can be seen swinging in the aftermath.
Debris could be seen falling toward the deck of the ship, including portions of the masts, lights, and rigging.
In a post on X, the Mexican Navy said the vessel was damaged in the accident with the Brooklyn Bridge that prevented it from continuing its voyage.
It added that the status of personnel and material was under review by naval and local authorities.
The Cuauhtémoc, which is a training vessel of the Mexican Navy, sailed into New York Harbor on Tuesday as part of a goodwill visit to the U.S., with dozens of naval cadets seen standing on the masts, and some others dressed in cultural Mexican attire awaited nearby.
