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A Mexican Navy ship crashed into New York City’s Brooklyn Bridge on Saturday, May 17Eyewitnesses tell PEOPLE they saw individuals on the ship “dangling” from the sails after the collisionNew York City Mayor Eric Adams confirmed that two people died in the crash, while 19 others were injured
Witnesses are sharing their accounts after a Mexican Navy ship crashed into the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City over the weekend.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams confirmed that two people died in the disaster, while two others remain in critical condition and are among 19 people who were injured.
“Earlier tonight, the Mexican Navy tall ship Cuauhtémoc lost power and crashed into the Brooklyn Bridge. At this time, of the 277 on board, 19 sustained injuries, 2 of which remain in critical condition, and 2 more have sadly passed away from their injuries,” the mayor said in a statement posted on X on Sunday, May 18.
Chris Spargo, a Senior PEOPLE reporter, was walking over the bridge when the crash involving the Cuauhtémoc ship occurred. “I honestly thought they were filming a movie or something,” he said. “I just assumed it was like some sort of special effect where the mast came down because it was clearly too big to get under the bridge.”
A Mexican Navy ship floats crashed into the Brooklyn Bridge in N.Y.C. on May 17.
Stephanie Keith/Getty
Spargo noted that the boat’s name means “descending eagle.” Wedding guests who witnessed the incident recall seeing people “dangling” from the sails of the ship while “wearing harnesses” after colliding with the Brooklyn Bridge.
“(The ship) set sail from the other side,” one of the wedding guests exclusively told PEOPLE.
“And it was kind of coming like straight … like pulling towards us,” said a second guest. “And then it started to turn … And then as it got closer to the Brooklyn Bridge, we were like, ‘Is it going to make it? Because it looks close.’ But the perspective, because we were sitting down having dinner, we weren’t sure.”
The pair watched on as the ship crashed into the bridge. “The first mast hit, and then the second and then the third,” the second guest continued. “And then on the last one, we saw people fall and it looked like they were tied on.”
“And they were wearing harnesses and safety ropes,” the first guest shared. “But someone was just dangling,” the second guest added. “And then it just kept going.”
PEOPLE can confirm that there was a large, choreographed musical number taking place on the ship just before the crash. The boat had also been stationed in the Seaport since Tuesday, May 13, with every mast covered with lights, ahead of setting sail Saturday.
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The Mexican Navy ship that crashed into the Brooklyn Bridge on May 17.
Kyle Mazza/Anadolu Via Getty
The ship had 277 people on board at the time of the crash, all of whom are believed to be accounted for, a New York City Fire Department official told The New York Times.
The Mexican Navy shared an update on the Cuauhtémoc, a training ship used by the Mexican Navy, which crashed into the Brooklyn Bridge, 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.”
PEOPLE has contacted the NYPD for comment.
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