Hundreds of people in New York applauded and cheered for emergency responders at the chaotic scene on Saturday night following a collision involving a Mexican Navy ship and the Brooklyn Bridge.
The Cuauhtémoc, a Mexican Navy training vessel, struck the iconic bridge around 9 pm during a promotional tour in New York City.
The ship’s three towering masts struck the bridge, leading to a partial collapse as it drifted in the East River, resulting in at least two fatalities and numerous serious injuries.
The FDNY, NYPD, and US Coast Guard launched a swift search and rescue mission, using divers and emergency boats to evacuate the wounded from the ship.
In multiple eyewitness videos, crowds are seen lining the streets, applauding first responders exiting the scene as emergency lights flashed and sirens blared.
Despite the severity of the crash, no one reportedly fell into the East River, and the Brooklyn Bridge sustained no major structural damage, according to the Department of Transportation.
The FDNY and NYPD Harbor Unit worked together to secure the area and ensure the safety of everyone aboard the stricken ship.
Officials believe the vessel experienced a mechanical failure that caused the captain to lose control.
At least four people are reportedly in critical condition, with a total of 19 injured, authorities said. Victims were initially taken to the Brooklyn Navy Yard, and those needing medical care were transported to local hospitals.
It is unclear as to if the person who died is among those who are critically injured.
The Coast Guard confirmed to DailyMail.com that emergency operations remain underway.
Shocked onlookers gathered at a nearby pier, watching the terrifying scene unfold and speculating about the cause of the unprecedented crash.
‘I thought it was maybe some sort of a terrorist attack,’ Aaron Travis, who is visiting from Austin, Texas, told the DailyMail.com.
‘I was out of breath, I had to run over to see it,’ added Donny C., who had traveled from New Jersey.
‘You play with the ocean, the ocean will play with you,’ a bystander identifying himself as Dave said.
‘As long as I’ve lived, I’ve never seen anything crash into the Brooklyn Bridge,’ another witness told DailyMail at the scene.
‘It’s kind of crazy to think there was no clearance. It’s honestly crazy,’ Theodore Kaltsas, who was at the scene during the crash said. ‘We’re just looking to hang out and we witnessed history.’
‘The problem is what’s going to happen now?’ asked Queens native Nick Karastamates.
Another bystander at the scene told DailyMail.com the emergency response was ‘insane’ and said boats continue to check the water.
In an X statement, the Mexican Navy explained in Spanish: ‘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 status of personnel and equipment is being reviewed by naval and local authorities, who are providing support.
‘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, NYC Mayor Eric Adams was joined by Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez, NYPD commissioner Jessica Tisch and other safety officials.
‘It is a unified effort to make sure that we look after all of those who were on the ship,’ Adams said.
NYPD officer Wilson Aramboles said no one is believed to have plunged into the water, but divers were sent out as a precaution.
Rodriguez confirmed there was no major damage to the bridge connecting Manhattan to Brooklyn.
The Brooklyn bridge was closed in both directions, but it has since reopened, according to NYC emergency officials.
However, the NYPD has urged people to avoid Brooklyn’s Dumbo neighborhood and the South Street Seaport in Manhattan as the investigation persists.
Tisch said the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will be taking over the investigation.
The Coast Guard is working on towing the ship and at least 50 people have gathered at the scene to watch emergency efforts unfold. Hundreds of remain in the area to watch from afar.
