MANHATTAN (PIX11) -- A Mexican navy sailing ship crashed into the Brooklyn Bridge Saturday night, and multiple people sustained injuries, according to police.
Officers received a call about a boat that hit the bottom of the Brooklyn Bridge at 8:30 p.m.
Authorities said multiple people were aboard the boat.
A video posted to Instagram shows the boat gliding along the East River. Then, the top of the sails hits the bottom of the bridge, and the sailing flags break and collapse.
Two hundred and seventy-seven Mexican sailors were aboard the ship, 19 of whom were injured and four suffered serious injuries, officials said. They were taken to a local hospital to be treated for their injuries.
Officials did not say if any of the injuries were considered non-life-threatening.
The Mexican Navy Ship
In a press conference, officials stated that the Mexican navy ship, which was sailing to Iceland, suffered an apparent mechanical failure, which caused the captain to lose control and led to the crash.
Officials noted the boat had the authority to be in New York City waters.
"The most important thing is the injured," said the Ambassador to Mexico at a press conference Saturday evening. "They [the sailors] were taken to the hospital. The Mexican Minister of the Navy is looking for the family of all involved to give them a detailed panorama to provide them with everything that is going on with them."
In a post on the social platform X, the Mexican Navy said that the Cuauhtemoc, an academy training vessel, was damaged in an 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, which were providing assistance.
Road closure
The Brooklyn Bridge was closed to ongoing traffic in both directions, according to a social media post by the New York City Emergency Management.
Activity: Expect traffic delays, road closures & emergency personnel near New Dock Street & Water Street, Brooklyn. Use alternate routes.
New York City Emergency Management DepartmentThe Brooklyn Bridge did not suffer any serious damage, New York City Department of Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said.
The National Transportation Safety Board will conduct a full investigation in the coming days, officials said.
This story comprises reporting from The Associated Press.
Matthew Euzarraga is a multimedia journalist from El Paso, Texas. He has covered local news and LGBTQIA topics in the New York City Metro area since 2021. He joined the PIX11 Digital team in 2023. You can see more of his work here.
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