The ARM Cuauhtemoc sail vessel was visiting New York in preparation for the 250th anniversary of America’s independence in 2026, when is collided backwards with the Brooklyn Bridge in New York on Saturday evening.
Video from the scene shows a tugboat next to the ARM Cuauhtemoc’s three tall masts ship, decorated with lights, before toppling all three masts when it struck the underside of the NY bridge’s road deck.
The New York Post cited fire officials and its own sources as saying that multiple members of the ship’s 277-person crew had been injured, after also crashing into Pier 17.
The newspaper also reported that rescuers were pulling people from the water. Multiple sailors were stationed on the masts when the vessel struck the bridge.
New York Mayor Eric Adams later told reporters that at least 19 people were injured, including four in critical condition, but all the ships masts were wrecked.
According to the Latin Times, the ship likely misjudged the height of its 171-foot masts in relation to the bridge’s 127-foot clearance at high tide. Fabien Levy, a spokesman for the mayor, said there appeared to be no signs of structural damage to the bridge.
The vessel was on a goodwill visit in preparation for an international parade of sailing ships in New York Harbor marking the 250th anniversary of America’s independence next year.
RT. com / ABC Flash Point News 2025.