Panic gripped New York City as a Mexican naval training ship collided with the Brooklyn Bridge on May 17. Eyewitnesses captured the heart-stopping moment the Cuauhtémoc’s massive masts scraped the historic structure, snapping and sending debris falling into the East River. Screams rang out as people rushed to safety, some yelling “Back away!” in alarm. One witness described the sound as “metal thunder” echoing across the shore. The ship was on a goodwill tour, part of a global diplomatic mission, when the crash left 19 people injured, four of them seriously. Emergency responders swarmed the scene while Mayor Eric Adams confirmed the bridge sustained no major damage. An investigation into the cause is now underway as questions rise over how this dramatic collision unfolded during a planned naval showcase.
