NEED TO KNOW
- Nineteen people are injured, with four facing serious injuries, after a large ship carrying more than 200 hit the Brooklyn Bridge on May 17
- Everyone is currently believed to be accounted for, according to the New York City Fire Department (FDNY)
- The investigation remains ongoing
Multiple people are injured, and a search and rescue operation is underway, after a large ship carrying more than 200 hit the Brooklyn Bridge.
On Saturday, May 17, the Cuauhtémoc, a training ship used for the Mexican Navy, crashed into the New York City landmark, the organization confirmed in a statement on X.
“During the sailing maneuver of the Cuauhtémoc sailboat in New York, a mishap occurred with the Brooklyn Bridge, causing damage to the training ship, preventing the continuation of the training cruise for the time being,” the Mexican Navy said.
“The status of personnel and equipment is being reviewed by naval and local authorities, who are providing support,” the group continued. “The Navy reaffirms its commitment to personnel safety, transparency in its operations, and excellent training for future officers of the Mexican Navy.”
During a press conference, New York City Mayor Eric Adams said 19 people were injured, four seriously. No one fell into the water, authorities added. An official with the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) told The New York Times that there were 277 people onboard total, and everyone is currently believed to be accounted for.
One of the boat’s large masts collided with the bridge just before 9 p.m. local time, The New York Post reported, citing sources.
Local outlet AM New York added that the vessel was sailing northbound along the East River when the incident occurred.
Three areas have been set up to assist travelers who were on the boat — Pier 16, Marine 6 and the Brooklyn Bridge Park.
Video footage shared online shows the massive boat coming in contact with the Brooklyn Bridge, before sections of the top half of the ship break apart. Another post includes a photo that shows numerous people hanging from the ship’s mast after the collision.
Mark Levine, the Manhattan Borough President, said in a post on X that divers with the New York Police Department (NYPD) transported injured individuals to nearby hospitals to receive aid.
He added that the Department of Transportation (DOT) was at the bridge “to assess potential structural damage,” and it would “not need to close.”
The investigation into the incident remains ongoing.
The NYPD, the FDNY and the Coast Guard did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment on May 17.
The Cuauhtémoc arrived in the area earlier in the week, according to NBC New York. It was docked at Pier 17 of the South Street Seaport Museum and was open for tours.
The ship, per the museum’s website, was built in Bilbao, Spain, in 1981 at the Celaya Shipyards. The vessel’s name means “Descending Eagle.”
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