Mexican Navy Ship Collides with Brooklyn Bridge During NYC Tour

A Mexican navy sailing ship on a goodwill tour through New York City ended up in a dangerous situation Saturday when it struck the Brooklyn Bridge. As it passed beneath the historic structure, the tallest of its three masts slammed into the underside of the bridge, partially collapsing on impact.

The crash happened in the East River and was caught on video by multiple onlookers. You can see the masts snap and crumple as the vessel hits the bridge — with heavy traffic still moving overhead at the time. It was a surreal and alarming moment for everyone nearby.

Mayor Eric Adams later confirmed that 19 people were injured, with four seriously hurt, but thankfully, the Brooklyn Bridge itself did not suffer major structural damage. An investigation is now underway to determine how the collision happened.

Eyewitnesses described a dramatic scene. The ship, draped in a massive Mexican flag, drifted along the river as stunned onlookers backed away from the shoreline. Some people saw sailors still climbing the rigging on the broken masts. Two bystanders, Sydney Neidell and Lily Katz, said they were sitting outside enjoying the sunset when they saw the ship collide with the bridge and a mast snap — even spotting someone dangling dangerously high on the vessel.

The ship was in town for a promotional tour meant to showcase Mexican naval history and culture. Instead, it became the center of an unexpected emergency response — one that, fortunately, didn’t end in greater disaster.